Ayodhya Kaanda
98 - Hospitality of the foresters towards Bharata and his party; Kaikeyi's remorse
Chaupais
Description
The Koals, Kiratas, Bhilas and other dwellers of the forest prepared lovely bowls of leaves and filling them with honey, pure, fine and delicious as nectar, presented them with small bundles of bulbs, roots,fruits and sprouts to all the newcomers with humble submission and salutations, severally mentioning the taste, species, virtue and name of each. The people offered a liberal price; but the foresters would not accept it and returned it adjuring them by Sri Rama's love to take it back. Overwhelmed with emotion they submitted in gentle tones: "The good respect true love once they have come to recognize it. You are all virtuous souls, while we are vile Nisadas: it is through Rama's grace that we have been blessed with your sight. You were utterly inaccessible to us even as the stream of the heavenly river (Ganga) is to the desert land of Maru (Western Rajaputana and Sindha). The all-merciful Rama has showered his grace on the Nisada chief; a king's kith and kin and subjects too should share his disposition.