Bharata Beholds Rama's Hermitage and Approaches it

निविष्टायाम् तु सेनायाम् उत्सुको भरतः तदा | जगाम भ्रातरम् द्रष्टुम् शत्रुघ्नम् अनुदर्शयन् || २-९९-१

niviShTaayaam tu senaayaam utsuko bharataH tadaa | jagaama bhraataram draShTum shatrughnam anudarshayan || 2-99-1

Having stationed his forces, Bharata set out eagerly to see his brother, pointing out the sign of Rama's habitation to Shatrughna.

ऋषिम् वसिष्ठम् संदिश्य मातृऋर् मे शीघ्रम् आनय | इति तरितम् अग्रे स जागम गुरु वत्सलः || २-९९-२

R^iShim vasiShTham sa.ndishya maatR^iR^ir me shiighram aanaya | iti taritam agre sa jaagama guru vatsalaH || 2-99-2

Bharata, who was affectionate towards the elders, asked the sage Vasishta to bring his mothers soon thereafter and went ahead quickly.

सुमन्त्रः तु अपि शतुघ्नम् अदूराद् अन्वपद्यत | राम दार्शनजः तर्षो भरतस्य इव तस्य च || २-९९-३

sumantraH tu api shatughnam aduuraad anvapadyata | raama daarshanajaH tarSho bharatasya iva tasya ca || 2-99-3

Sumantra also, equally desirous of seeing Rama; followed Shatrughna at a little distance.

गग्च्छन्न् एव अथ भरतः तापस आलय संस्थिताम् | भ्रातुः पर्ण कुटीम् श्रीमान् उटजम् च ददर्श ह || २-९९-४

gagcchhann eva atha bharataH taapasa aalaya sa.nsthitaam | bhraatuH parNa kuTiim shriimaan uTajam ca dadarsha ha || 2-99-4

While the illustrious Bharata passed on, he observed in that wood of ascetics, a leafy hut of his brother together with a small hut made of leaves, nearby.

शालायाः तु अग्रतः तस्या ददर्श भरतः तदा | काष्टानि च अवभग्नानि पुष्पाण्य् अवचितानि च || २-९९-५

shaalaayaaH tu agrataH tasyaa dadarsha bharataH tadaa | kaaShTaani ca avabhagnaani puShpaaNy avacitaani ca || 2-99-5

Bharata then beheld wood that had been broken up and heaps of flowers gathered in front of that hermitage.

स लक्ष्मणस्य रामस्य ददर्शाश्रममीयुषः | कृतं वृक्षेष्वभिज्ञानं कुशचीरैः क्वचित् क्वचित् || २-९९-६

sa lakshmaNasya raamasya dadarshaashramamiiyuShaH | kR^itaM vR^ikSheShvabhijJNaanaM kushachiiraiH kvachit kvachit || 2-99-6

While coming to the hermitage, Bharata saw some signs here and there serving as a proper direction to that hermitage, tufts of Kusha grass and strips of bark tied to the trees by Rama and Lakshmana.

स ददर्श वने तस्मिन् महतः संचयान् कृतान् | मृगाणाम् महिषाणाम् च करीषैः शीत कारणात् || २-९९-७

sa dadarsha vane tasmin mahataH sa.ncayaan kR^itaan | mR^igaaNaam mahiShaaNaam ca kariiShaiH shiita kaaraNaat || 2-99-7

Bharata also saw in the vicinity great heaps of dried dung of deers and buffaloes, kept ready for protection against cold.

गग्च्छन् एव महा बाहुर् द्युतिमान् भरतः तदा | शत्रुघ्नम् च अब्रवीद्द् हृष्टः तान् अमात्यामः च सर्वशः || २-९९-८

gagcchhan eva mahaa baahur dyutimaan bharataH tadaa | shatrughnam ca abraviidd hR^iShTaH taan amaatyaamH ca sarvashaH || 2-99-8

Then, proceeding further, the valiant and the mighty armed Bharata spoke to Shatrughna in joy, as also those ministers who surrounded him.

मन्ये प्राप्ताः स्म तम् देशम् भरद्वाजो यम् अब्रवीत् | न अतिदूरे हि मन्ये अहम् नदीम् मन्दाकिनीम् इतः || २-९९-९

manye praaptaaH sma tam desham bharadvaajo yam abraviit | na atiduure hi manye aham nadiim mandaakiniim itaH || 2-99-9

"I think we have reached the place about which Bharadwaja directed us. I believe Mandakini River is not far from here."

उच्चैर् बद्धानि चीराणि लक्ष्मणेन भवेद् अयम् | अभिज्नान कृतः पन्था विकाले गन्तुम् इग्च्छता || २-९९-१०

uccair baddhaani ciiraaNi lakShmaNena bhaved ayam | abhijnaana kR^itaH panthaa vikaale gantum igcchhataa || 2-99-10

"These pieces of bark have been tied up from above. This may be the path provided as signs by Lakshmana in order to find his way back in odd hours of darkness."

इदम् च उदात्त दन्तानाम् कुन्जराणाम् तरस्विनाम् | शैल पार्श्वे परिक्रान्तम् अन्योन्यम् अभिगर्जताम् || २-९९-११

idam ca udaatta dantaanaam kunjaraaNaam tarasvinaam | shaila paarshve parikraantam anyonyam abhigarjataam || 2-99-11

"At the side of the mountain, this is a roaming place of elephants, having huge teeth, violent as they are and ferociously roaring at each other."

यम् एव आधातुम् इग्च्छन्ति तापसाः सततम् वने | तस्य असौ दृश्यते धूमः सम्कुलः कृष्ट वर्त्मनः || २-९९-१२

yam eva aadhaatum igcchhanti taapasaaH satatam vane | tasya asau dR^ishyate dhuumaH samkulaH kR^iShTa vartmanaH || 2-99-12

"See this intense smoke coming from that fire which the sages in the forest always desire to keep in their hermitages."

अत्र अहम् पुरुष व्याघ्रम् गुरु सत्कार कारिणम् | आर्यम् द्रक्ष्यामि सम्हृष्टो महर्षिम् इव राघवम् || २-९९-१३

atra aham puruSha vyaaghram guru satkaara kaariNam | aaryam drakShyaami samhR^iShTo maharShim iva raaghavam || 2-99-13

"Here, I can see joyfully Rama, the tiger among men, who gives respect to elders and is as venerable as a sage."

अथ गत्वा मुहूर्तम् तु चित्र कूटम् स राघवः | मन्दाकिनीम् अनुप्राप्तः तम् जनम् च इदम् अब्रवीत् || २-९९-१४

atha gatvaa muhuurtam tu citra kuuTam sa raaghavaH | mandaakiniim anupraaptaH tam janam ca idam abraviit || 2-99-14

Proceeding for a while on Chitrakuta mountain and reaching the River Mandakini, that Bharata said to his ministers and others as follows:

जगत्याम् पुरुष व्याघ्र आस्ते वीर आसने रतः | जन इन्द्रो निर्जनम् प्राप्य धिन् मे जन्म सजीवितम् || २-९९-१५

jagatyaam puruSha vyaaghra aaste viira aasane rataH | jana indro nirjanam praapya dhin me janma sajiivitam || 2-99-15

"The foremost of men and the Lord of the people, having sought seclusion, sat on the floor, delighted as he was in the posture of a hero (with his left foot placed on his right knee). O Fie unto my birth and life!"

मत् कृते व्यसनम् प्राप्तो लोक नाथो महा द्युतिः | सर्वान् कामान् परित्यज्य वने वसति राघवः || २-९९-१६

mat kR^ite vyasanam praapto loka naatho mahaa dyutiH | sarvaan kaamaan parityajya vane vasati raaghavaH || 2-99-16

"Rama the Lord of Men with great luster, has been overtaken by this misfortune because of me and leaving all enjoyments, is living in the forest."

इति लोक समाक्रुष्टः पादेषु अद्य प्रसादयन् | रामस्य निपतिष्यामि सीतायाः च पुनः पुनः || २-९९-१७

iti loka samaakruShTaH paadeShu adya prasaadayan | raamasya nipatiShyaami siitaayaaH ca punaH punaH || 2-99-17

"Thus abhhored by the world, I will fall on the feet of Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana and seek to regain Rama's grace."

एवम् स विलपमः तस्मिन् वने दशरथ आत्मजः | ददर्श महतीम् पुण्याम् पर्ण शालाम् मनो रमाम् || २-९९-१८ साल ताल अश्व कर्णानाम् पर्णैर् बहुभिर् आवृताम् | विशालाम् मृदुभिः तीर्णाम् कुशैर् वेदिम् इव अध्वरे || २-९९-१९ शक्र आयुध निकाशैः च कार्मुकैर् भार साधनैः | रुक्म पृष्ठैर् महा सारैः शोभिताम् शत्रु बाधकैः || २-९९-२० अर्क रश्मि प्रतीकाशैर् घोरैः तूणी गतैः शरैः | शोभिताम् दीप्त वदनैः सर्पैर् भोगवतीम् इव || २-९९-२१ महा रजत वासोभ्याम् असिभ्याम् च विराजिताम् | रुक्म बिन्दु विचित्राभ्याम् चर्मभ्याम् च अपि शोभिताम् || २-९९-२२ गोधा अन्गुलित्रैर् आसाक्तैः चित्रैः कान्चन भूषितैः | अरि सम्घैर् अनाधृष्याम् मृगैः सिम्ह गुहाम् इव || २-९९-२३

evam sa vilapamH tasmin vane dasharatha aatmajaH | dadarsha mahatiim puNyaam parNa shaalaam mano ramaam || 2-99-18 saala taala ashva karNaanaam parNair bahubhir aavR^itaam | vishaalaam mR^idubhiH tiirNaam kushair vedim iva adhvare || 2-99-19 shakra aayudha nikaashaiH ca kaarmukair bhaara saadhanaiH | rukma pR^iShThair mahaa saaraiH shobhitaam shatru baadhakaiH || 2-99-20 arka rashmi pratiikaashair ghoraiH tuuNii gataiH sharaiH | shobhitaam diipta vadanaiH sarpair bhogavatiim iva || 2-99-21 mahaa rajata vaasobhyaam asibhyaam ca viraajitaam | rukma bindu vicitraabhyaam carmabhyaam ca api shobhitaam || 2-99-22 godhaa angulitrair aasaaktaiH citraiH kaancana bhuuShitaiH | ari samghair anaadhR^iShyaam mR^igaiH simha guhaam iva || 2-99-23

As Bharata was lamenting thus, he beheld in that forest, a splendid and sacred leafy hut, which was covered with many soft leaves of Sala, Tala and Asvakarna trees, overspread with blades of Kusa grass in a sacrificial performance, appearing like an extensive altar and it was adorned with bows plated with gold, like unto the weapons of Indra the Lord of celestials, constructed for heroic exploits, having great power, the torments of their foes, graced with fearful arrows in their quivers, like unto the rays of the sun, bright as serpents with shining hoods, in the same way of Bhagavati (the realm of Nagas), decked with a couple of swords encased in sheaths of gold, adorned with two shields decorated with flowers of gold, finger-guards embroidered with gold and in different colours suspended on walls and which hut was unassailable by hordes of enemies as is a lion's cave to deer.

प्राग् उदक् स्रवणाम् वेदिम् विशालाम् दीप्त पावकाम् | ददर्श भरतः तत्र पुण्याम् राम निवेशने || २-९९-२४

yaH sa.nsadi prakR^itibhir bhaved yukta upaasitum | vanyair mR^igair upaasiinaH so ayam aaste mama agrajaH || 2-99-31

Bharata saw a sacrificial altar in the north-east corner having a steep descent, extensive in area and having a sacred fire burned in the hermitage of Rama.

निरीक्ष्य स मुहूर्तम् तु ददर्श भरतो गुरुम् | उटजे रामम् आसीनाम् जटा मण्डल धारिणम् || २-९९-२५

vaasobhir bahu saahasrair yo mahaatmaa pura ucitaH | mR^iga ajine so ayam iha pravaste dharmam aacaran || 2-99-32

Looking around for a moment, Bharata beheld his elder brother, Rama himself seated in the hut, wearing matted locks.

तम् तु कृष्ण अजिन धरम् चीर वल्कल वाससम् | ददर्श रामम् आसीनम् अभितः पावक उपमम् || २-९९-२६ सिम्ह स्कन्धम् महा बाहुम् पुण्डरीक निभ ईक्षणम् | पृथिव्याः सगर अन्ताया भर्तारम् धर्म चारिणम् || २-९९-२७ उपविष्टम् महा बाहुम् ब्रह्माणम् इव शाश्वतम् | स्थण्डिले दर्भ सस्म्तीर्णे सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च || २-९९-२८

adhaarayad yo vividhaaH citraaH sumanasaH tadaa | so ayam jaTaa bhaaram imam sahate raaghavaH katham || 2-99-33

Bharata saw that Rama clad in an antelope-skin and robes of bark, seated close by, resembling a fire (in brilliance), with the neck and shoulders of a lion, mighty arms and eyes resembling the lotus, the very virtuous Lord of the Earth extending upto the ocean, the Eternal Brahma, and seated on the ground spread with Darbha grass, with Seetha and Lakshmana.

तम् दृष्ट्वा भरतः श्रीमान् दुह्ख मोह परिप्लुतः | अभ्यधावत धर्म आत्मा भरतः कैकयी सुतः || २-९९-२९

man nimittam idam duhkham praapto raamaH sukha ucitaH | dhig jiivitam nR^isha.nsasya mama loka vigarhitam || 2-99-36

Beholding him, the illustrious and the high-souled Bharata the son of Kaikeyim distraught by the grief that possessed him, rushed towards Rama.

दृष्ट्वा च विललाप आर्तो बाष्प संदिग्धया गिरा | अशक्नुवन् धारयितुम् धैर्याद् वचनम् अब्रवीत् || २-९९-३०

ity evam vilapan diinaH prasvinna mukha pankajaH | paadaau apraapya raamasya papaata bharato rudan || 2-99-37

On seeing his brother, Bharata broke into lamentations and in a voice strangled with sobs, unable to restrain his agony with firmeness, said:

यः संसदि प्रकृतिभिर् भवेद् युक्त उपासितुम् | वन्यैर् मृगैर् उपासीनः सो अयम् आस्ते मम अग्रजः || २-९९-३१

duhkha abhitapto bharato raaja putro mahaa balaH | uktvaa aarya iti sakR^id diinam punar na uvaaca ki.ncana || 2-99-38

"My elder brother who is fit to be honoured in an assembly by a body of ministers around him, is now being served by a body of wild beasts around him in this jungle."

वासोभिर् बहु साहस्रैर् यो महात्मा पुर उचितः | मृग अजिने सो अयम् इह प्रवस्ते धर्मम् आचरन् || २-९९-३२

baaShpa apihita kaNThaH ca prekShya raamam yashasvinam | aarya ity eva abhisamkrushya vyaahartum na ashakat tataH || 2-99-39

"That magnanimous hero, who formerly used to possess countless articles of apparel is now wearing two antelope-skins, following ascetic righteousness.

अधारयद् यो विविधाः चित्राः सुमनसः तदा | सो अयम् जटा भारम् इमम् सहते राघवः कथम् || २-९९-३३

shatrughnaH ca api raamasya vavande caraNau rudan | taau ubhau sa samaalingya raamo apy ashruuNy avartayat || 2-99-40

"How this Rama, who used to wear various kinds of colourful flowers, is bearing this burden of matted locks now?"

यस्य यज्नैर् यथा आदिष्टैर् युक्तो धर्मस्य संचयः | शरीर क्लेश सम्भूतम् स धर्मम् परिमार्गते || २-९९-३४

tataH sumantreNa guhena caiva | samiiyatuu raaja sutaau araNye | divaa karaH caiva nishaa karaH ca | yathaa ambare shukra bR^ihaspatibhyaam || 2-99-41

"He who acquired merit through countless sacrifices performed according to the prescribed injunctions, now follows the path of righteousness through asceticism!"

चन्दनेन महा अर्हेण यस्य अन्गम् उपसेवितम् | मलेन तस्य अन्गम् इदम् कथम् आर्यस्य सेव्यते || २-९९-३५

taan paarthivaan vaaraNa yuuthapa aabhaan | samaagataamH tatra mahaty araNye | vana okasaH te api samiikShya sarve apy | ashruuNy amuncan pravihaaya harSham || 2-99-42

"He whose body was formerly rendered fragrant by white sandal paste, has only dust with which to smear the limbs of this venerable elder brother!"

मन् निमित्तम् इदम् दुह्खम् प्राप्तो रामः सुख उचितः | धिग् जीवितम् नृशंसस्य मम लोक विगर्हितम् || २-९९-३६

"Rama who used to have happiness, has fallen into this misfortune, because of me cursed be my reprehensive existence that the whole world condemns!"

इत्य् एवम् विलपन् दीनः प्रस्विन्न मुख पन्कजः | पादाउ अप्राप्य रामस्य पपात भरतो रुदन् || २-९९-३७

Thus did that pitiable Bharata lament, perspiration be-dewing his lotus-like countenance and, without touching Rama's feet, fell down grooming.

दुह्ख अभितप्तो भरतो राज पुत्रो महा बलः | उक्त्वा आर्य इति सकृद् दीनम् पुनर् न उवाच किंचन || २-९९-३८

Overcome with grief, the highly valiant prince Bharata cried out "O, Noble One!" once and in his distress, was unable to speak anything further.

बाष्प अपिहित कण्ठः च प्रेक्ष्य रामम् यशस्विनम् | आर्य इत्य् एव अभिसम्क्रुश्य व्याहर्तुम् न अशकत् ततः || २-९९-३९

Crying at the top of his voice, "O, Noble One" only, on seeing the illustrious Rama, he was unable to speak further, his throat choked with tears.

शत्रुघ्नः च अपि रामस्य ववन्दे चरणौ रुदन् | ताउ उभौ स समालिन्ग्य रामो अप्य् अश्रूण्य् अवर्तयत् || २-९९-४०

Shatrughna too, weeping, threw himself at Rama's feet and Rama too, embracing them both, allowed his tears to fall.

ततः सुमन्त्रेण गुहेन चैव | समीयतू राज सुताउ अरण्ये | दिवा करः चैव निशा करः च | यथा अम्बरे शुक्र बृहस्पतिभ्याम् || २-९९-४१

Then, in that forest, the princes Rama and Lakshmana were seen by Sumantra and Guha, as in the sky, the sun and the moon are seen in conjunction with Venus and Jupiter.

तान् पार्थिवान् वारण यूथप आभान् | समागतामः तत्र महत्य् अरण्ये | वन ओकसः ते अपि समीक्ष्य सर्वे अप्य् | अश्रूण्य् अमुन्चन् प्रविहाय हर्षम् || २-९९-४२

All those dwellers in the woods, seeing those princes resembling leaders of elephant-herbs meeting together there in that great forest, losing their cheerfulness, began to shed tears.