BHARATA BECOMES RAAMA'S DEPUTY

They saw the spot where Raama and Lakshmana poured out libations for their father's Spirit. The darbha grass lay with the ends facing south, beside the oil-cake.

Kausalya clung to Sumitra and said: "O Sister! This is the food that the mightiest kings have to be content with after death."

They reached the hut. There they saw the princes with faces clouded with sorrow, seated under a thatched roof. Unable to bear the sight, the royal mothers sank to the floor.

When Raama lifted Kausalya tip, she stroked him with her flower-soft hands and was at once sad and happy. She embraced Seeta and said: "My child, Janaka's daughter, daughter-in-law to the King of Ayodhya, do you live in this hut in the forest? O, faded lotus-Rower! O, golden image covered with dust! My heart melts at the sight of you."

Raama reverently touched the feet of Vasishtha who seemed another Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, come down to earth, and then sat by his mother. Bharata humbly sat apart facing Raama. The elders surrounded them, eagerly awaiting what Bharata would say and how Raama would react.

[ Up ] [ Next ]