Chapter CXXVI: Section CXXVII

Thereupon beholding Ayodhya, Rama, the descendant of Raghu, of light movements and desirous of affording delight unto others, thought of welcoming (them). Thinking thus the intelligent and effulgent (Rama) cast his looks towards the monkeys and spoke unto Hanuman, saying,--"O foremost of monkeys, speedily reparing to Ayodhya do thou learn of the welfare of all people in the palace of the king. Arriving at the city of Sringavera, do thou communicate unto Guha, the king of _Nishadhas_[491] having the forest as his kingdon, my well-being, at my command. Hearing that I am hale and hearty and relieved of all troubles, Guha, my friend like my own self, shall attain to delight. And Guha, the lord of _Nishadhas_, delighted, shall inform thee of the way to Ayodhya and the well being of Bharata. Do thou ask of Bharata his well-being at my words, and communicate unto him my (arrival) with Lakshmana and my spouse after having made good the vow (of my sire)--the carrying away of Sita by the powerful Ravana--the friendship with Sugriva and the destruction of Vali in the conflict--the search of Maithili instituted by thee having got over the huge lord of rivers--the advance (of the monkeys) to the banks of the deep--the view of the ocean, the construction of the bridge--the destruction of Ravana,--the grant of boon by Mahendra, Brahma and Varuna--my meeting with my father by the favour of Mahadeva. Do thou, O gentle one, communicate unto Bharata, my arrival here with the lord of Rakshasas and king of monkeys. (Tell him) 'vanquishing his foes and attaining to excellent fame Rama hath arrived at the gate of the city with his valiant friends, having satisfied the vow (of his sire).' Thou shouldst read the signs expressive of joy or sorrow that Bharata shall display on hearing this and infer therefrom his attitude towards me. Thou shouldst know, from the colour of his countenance, his looks and his words, all the movements and actions of Bharata. Whose mind doth not change obtaining such an ancestral kingdom, filled with all prosperity and abounding in elephants, horses and chariots? If the effulgent Bharata, the descendant of Raghu, ruling over it, wisheth the kingdom for himself, let him lord over the entire earth. Therefore, O monkey, it behoveth thee to come back speedily apprised of his intention and movements, before we proceed further". Being thus commanded, Hanuman, the son of Wind-god, assuming a human shape speedily proceeded towards Ayodhya. Hanuman the son of Maruta rose up in the welkin with velocity like unto Garuda ready to fall upon a huge serpent. Then crossing the Wind-path and the abode of the birds, getting over the terrible confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna, reaching the city of _Sringavera_ and meeting Guha, the energetic Hanuman, delighted, (addressed him) with the following excellent words--"Thy friend Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha, having truth for his prowess, with Sita and son of Sumitra, hath enquired of thy welfare. Having spent five nights[492] till to-day, he, having obtained permission from the ascetic _Varadwaja_, shall proceed to-morrow". Having said this the highly energetic monkey, not caring for the exhaustion of travel, greatly delighted and with hairs erect, rose up with great velocity. Beholding the holy river sanctified with the name of Parasurama, the rivers--Balukini, Baruthi, Gomati, the huge forest of _Sala_ trees, the various countries populated with thousands of people, and proceeding a great distance speedily, that foremost of monkeys got at the trees near _Nandigram_[493] like unto those of Chaitraratha, the garden of the lord of celestials the flowers whereof were being plucked off by many a damsel accompanied by their children decked in various ornaments. He saw at a distance of one _crosa_ from Ayodhya, Bharata wearing the skin of an antelope, poorly, greatly reduced, living in a hermitage, wearing matted hairs, having his body covered with dirt, greatly pulled down in consequence of his brother's disaster, living on roots and fruits, self-controlled; living the life of an ascetic, observing pious observances, with a bundle of clotted hairs on his head, wearing bark and deer skin, having control over his passions and senses, effulgent like _Brahmarshis_, ruling the earth always placing the sandals before him, protecting people of four _Varnas_ against all fear, with courtiers, priests leading a holy life and soldiers all wearing red clothes; around him. All those citizens, fond of piety, did not like to use good clothes beholding the prince use bark and deer skin. Thereupon Hanuman, the son of Maruta spake with folded hands unto him, conversant with piety like virtue incarnate, saying--"Kakutstha, living in the forest of Dandaka with bark and matted hairs, for whom thou art lamenting, hath enquired after thy welfare. Do thou, O worshipful sire, speak out thy welfare and renounce the dreadful grief. Thou shalt in this moment be reconciled to thy brother Rama. Slaying Ravana, and regaining Maithili, Rama, having accomplished his end, hath arrived here with his valiant friends. The highly effulgent Lakshmana and the famed Vaidehi (have also come). Sita fareth well with Rama like unto Sachi in the company of Mahendra". Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi, delighted, fell down all on a sudden in a swoon of joy. Thereupon rising up in no time, and welcoming him, Bharata, the descendant of Raghu, spake unto Hanuman communicating the pleasant tidings, the following words. And embracing the monkey respectfully the graceful Bharata sprinkled him with profuse tears not out of grief but of joy. He said,--"Art thou a man or god who hast kindly come here? O gentle one, I shall confer upon thee, who hast communicated unto me this pleasant tidings, hundreds and thousands of kine, hundreds of prosperous villages, sixteen young wives, pious, wearing excellent _Kundalas_, golden-hued, having beautiful noses and breasts, having moon-like countenances, decked with all ornaments and born of respectable families". And hearing from that leading monkey of that wonderful return of Rama, the son of the king, delighted became anxious to behold him and again addressed joyously Hanuman with the following words.

[491] A low caste aboriginal Hindu corresponding to our _Chandalas_
always living in the forest. The Raja of Ramnud in the district of
Madura in Madras traces his descent from this Guha.

[492] Having spent five nights after the expiry of fourteen years of
exile he is living at the hermitage of Varadwaja. He shall leave
that place to-morrow.--T.

[493] The country of Bharata's maternal uncle.--T.