Chapter CXXVIII: Section CXXIX

Hearing those words affording great delight, Bharata, the slayer of enemies, having truth for his prowess, delighted, ordered Satrughna, (saying),--"Let all people being purified worship all the deities and altars of the city with fragrant garlands and diverse music. Let all the bards conversant with the chanting of the pedigree, the flatterers, all those conversant with music, the dancing girls, the queens, the courtiers, the soldiers with their wives, Brahmanas, Kshatryas, and people of all other castes, issue out to behold the moon-like countenance of Rama". Hearing the words of Bharata, Satrughna, the slayer of enemies, divided the work amongst the servants, (saying),--"Do ye level the high and low ground from Nandigram to (Ayodhya). Do ye perfectly water the ground with cold water. Thereafter sprinkle all the places with flowers and dried paddy; hoist up flags all over the city; decorate all the houses, before the rising of the moon with garlands, jewels, flowers of gold and things of five other colours. Let hundreds of men watch the thorough-fares". Hearing the command of Satrughna, issued out with delight Dhristi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddartha, Arthasadhaka, Asoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra. Thereupon issued out men on horse back and in cars with thousands of mad elephants well-decked with pennons and she-elephants with golden seats (on their backs). And some heroes proceeded encircled by a thousand excellent steeds and persons carrying _Sakti_, _Risthi_, maces and pennons and thousands of infantry. Thereupon proceeded Sumitra and all other wives of Dacaratha placing Kaucalya before them and seated in excellent conveyances. And hearing of the return of his brother and attaining to delight, the high-souled and pious Bharata, reduced with fasting, poorly, wearing bark and skin of an antelope and conversant with religion, issued out to receive back Rama in the company of his counsellors and encircled by the twice-born ones, the people of diverse castes, his own relations and kinsmen and ministers with garlands and _Modaka_[496] in their hands, eulogized by the bards, having his arrival announced with the sound of conchs and bugles and placing the sandals of his worshipful brother on his head and taking white umbrella adorned with white garlands and white _Chowries_ decked with gold and worthy of being used by the kings. Thereupon with the sound of the horses' hoofs and cars, conchs and bugles the earth shook. And the whole city went to Nandigram. And beholding the Wind-god's son, Bharata said,--"Didst thou not resort to the usual fickleness of the monkeys? We do not behold the worshipful Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha--the slayer of foes. Nor do we behold the monkeys assuming shapes at will". Having been addressed with those words, Hanuman replied, communicating unto Bharata, having truth for his prowess, the truth,--"Having reached the trees, covered by the favour of Varadwaja, with fruits and flowers and pouring honey, the monkeys are emitting noise like maddened black bees. O slayer of foes, this boon was granted him (Rama) by Vasava. (Varadwaya) is treating him with his army with all hospitality. Hear the dreadful noise of the delighted monkeys. Methinks the monkey host hath crossed the river Gomati. Behold the huge upheaval of dust towards the _Sala_ forest. Methinks the monkeys are agitating the graceful _Sala_ forest. Behold there at the distance the car resembling the Sun. This celestial car _Pashpaka_, constructed by Brahma's mind, was obtained by the high-souled (Rama) after having slain Ravana with his friends. This celestial car, resembling the newly risen Sun, coursing at will and carrying Rama (was gained) by the favour of the Giver of wealth. (There are) the two heroic brothers--the descendants of Raghu with Yaidehi, the highly effulgent Sugriva and the Rakshasa Bibhishana. Thereupon with the sound of "there is Rama" there arose a joyous noise reaching the abode of the celestials from among women, children, the young and the old. Thereupon descending upon the earth from chariots, elephants and horses all people beheld him (Rama) stationed on the car like unto the moon in the sky. And facing Raghava and with folded hands Bharata delightedly worshipped him with agreeable words, _Arghya_ and water to wash his feet. There appeared in the car constructed by Brahma's mind the elder brother of Bharata having expansive eyes like the immortal wielder of thunder-bolt. Thereupon Bharata humbly saluted his brother Rama seated on the top of the car like unto the Sun on the summit (of the mount Meru). And commanded by Rama that excellent car drawn by ganders got down on the earth with great velocity. And ascending that car, Bharata, having truth for his prowess, reaching Rama, delighted, again bowed unto him. And raising Bharata up who had been seen after a long time and placing him on his lap Kakutstha, delighted, embraced him. There-upon Bharata, the slayer of foes, bowed unto Vaidehi and welcomed Lakshmana. And the son of Kaikeyi (then in turn) embraced Sugriva, Jambavana, Angada, Mainda, Dwivida, Nila and Rishava. And he then embraced Sushena, Nala, Gabaksha, Gandhamadana, Sarabha, and Panasa. And assuming human shapes, those monkeys, assuming shapes at will, delightedly enquired after Bharata's well-being. And embracing Sugriva, the foremost of monkeys, the highly effulgent prince Bharata, the foremost of the pious, said--" O Sugriva, thou art our fifth brother. From brotherliness groweth friendship and doing injury is the sign of an enemy". And Bharata then addressed Bibhishana with soothing words--"It is by fortune that through your help he hath accomplished such a difficult work". Thereupon the heroic Satrughna saluting Rama and Lakshmana, respectfully bowed unto Sita. And having approached his mother, pale and pulled down with grief, Rama humbly touched her feet and enhanced her delight. And thereupon saluting Sumitra, famed Kaikeyi and all his mothers he approached the priests. Thereupon all the citizens with folded hands welcomed him saying--"Welcome art thou, O thou of long arms! O thou the enhancer of Kaucalya's joy!" And the elder brother of Bharata observed the folded hands of the citizens like so many blown lotuses. And himself taking the sandals of Rama, Bharata, conversant with piety, placed them at the feet of that lord of men. Thereupon Bharata with folded hands spoke unto Rama, saying--"This all thy kingdom, which thou didst leave to my care, I return thee. Blessed is my birth to-day and accomplished is my desire, since I behold thee again as king in Ayodhya after thy return. Do thou examine thy wealth, treasury, palace and army. By thy favour I have increased all these ten fold". Hearing Bharata speak in that wise and beholding him devoted to his brother all the monkeys and the Rakshasa Bibhishana shed tears. Thereupon placing Bharata, in delight, on his lap, Raghava, with his army in that car, proceeded towards Bharata's abode. And reaching Bharata's palace Raghava with his army descended upon the earth. Thereupon Rama said to the excellent car--"Do thou (now) go to _Vaisravana_--I do permit thee". Thereupon being thus commanded by Rama, that excellent car, proceeding towards the north, reached the abode of the Giver of wealth. That celestial car _Pushpaka_ had been taken away by the Rakshasa (Ravana); but now at the words of Rama it reached (again) the Giver of wealth. And touching the feet of his priest the powerful Raghava sat on a separate and excellent seat like unto Sakra, the lord of immortals (by the side of) _Vrihashpati_.

[496] A kind of sweet meat.