Ayodhya Kaanda
97 - Bharata takes a dip in the Mandakini and arrives at Citrakuta; Bharata and others meet one another, mourn the kingís death and perform his Sraddha (obsequies)
Chaupais
Description
When the Ocean of amiability, Sri Rama, learnt that His preceptor had come, He left Ripudamana (Satrughna) by Sita's side and the All-merciful proceeded at once with quick steps, a champion of virtue and self-possessed that He was. On seeing the Guru both the Lord and His younger brother (Laksmana) were overwhelmed with affection and prostrated themselves on the ground. The chief of sages, however, ran and clasped them to his bosom; he received them with a heart overflowing with love. Thrilling all over with emotion and mentioning his name the Nisada chief too fell prostrate on the ground at a respectable distance. The sage, however, forcibly embraced him as a friend of Sri Rama; it seemed as though he had gathered up love lying scattered on the ground. "Devotion to the Lord of Raghus is the root of all choice blessings!" With these words of praise the gods in heaven rained flowers. "There is no one so utterly vile as this man; and who is so great as Vasistha in this world?"