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
Sita came and threw herself at the feet of Vasistha (the chief of sages) and received suitable blessings solicited by Her mind. The affectionate manner in which She met the Guru's wife (Arundhati) and the wives of other hermits was beyond description. Adoring the feet of all one by one Sita received blessings dear to Her heart. When Sita saw all Her mothers-in-law the tender girl closed Her eyes in dismay. They appeared to Her like so many female swans fallen into the hands of some fowler. '' What has a mischievous Providence done !" She said to Herself. They too were sore distressed when they gazed on Sita. "We must bear all that Fate imposes on us," they thought. Janaka's Daughter then took courage in Her heart and with Her dark lotus-eyes filled with tears She approached and embraced all Her mothers-in-law. Earth was enveloped in pathos at the moment.