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
At the words of Sri Rama the assembly trembled with fear like a ship tossed on the ocean. When, however, they heard the auspicious words of the Guru, it seemed as though the wind had turned in their favour. Thrice in the day (in the morning, at noon and in the evening) they bathed in the holy Payasvini river, the very sight of which wipes out hosts of sins, ever feasting their eyes on Sri Rama,the incarnation of blessedness, and gladly prostrating themselves before Him again and again. They went out to see the hill and woods hallowed by the presence of Sri Rama, where reigned joy of every kind and which was free from all sorrows. Water sweet as nectar flowed from springs; while soft, cool and fragrant breezes soothed every pain of mind and body. Trees, creepers and grasses of infinite variety; fruits, flowers and leaves of many kinds; beautiful slabs of stone and the delightful shade of trees: the splendour of the forest was beyond description.