BHARATA SUSPECTED

And so Bharata ordered.

Bharadwaaja went to the sacrificial fire and, uttering mantras, sipped water thrice and called on Viswakarma, Maya, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, Agni and other celestial beings and ordered them to produce a great feast for Bharata and his followers.

Then a miracle happened. The feast that was ready in Bharadwaaja's aashrama was like that which Vasishtha gave of old to Viswaamitra. The only difference was that here, there was no quarrel or commotion. Every one had ample accommodation. Sandal paste, flowers, food and drink, music and dance by divine performers were all provided.

Bharadwaaja's feast was more sumptuous than that given by emulous kings to one another. Dwellings, vehicles, servants rose suddenly into being. The guests forgot themselves in the feast, The soldiers in Bharata's army in the ecstasy of present enjoyment exclaimed to one another: "We shall not go to the Dandaka forest. We shall not return to Ayodhya. We shall stay here for ever."

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