Vast Army Departs for Rama
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 92
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 92
Bharata seeks Rama in exile, guided by sage Bharadwaja. Joined by queens Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi, he leads a vast army southward, driven by duty and familial love.
After spending the night at Bharadwaja's ashram and receiving his hospitality, Bharata approached the sage with his retinue. Sage Bharadwaja, who had just completed his fire sacrifice, saw Bharata, the tiger among men, standing before him with folded palms. The sage addressed him:
"I hope you spent a comfortable night here in our domain. Tell me, O sinless one, did all your people enjoy the hospitality?"
Bharata, brilliant and skilled in speech, replied with folded hands:
"O holy one, we all spent the night comfortably. My ministers, the entire army of men and animals - all our needs were more than satisfied by your generous hospitality."
Bharadwaja then informed Bharata about the location of Rama's dwelling:
"Three and a half yojanas (about 28 miles) from here, in a secluded forest, stands Mount Chitrakuta. It is known for its charming streams and woodlands. On its northern side flows the river Mandakini, its banks covered with flowering trees and lovely blossoming woods. Beyond that river is Mount Chitrakuta, where you'll find a leaf-thatched hut. There, undoubtedly, both of them reside."
After describing the location, Bharadwaja provided instructions on how to reach Rama:
"O distinguished lord of the army, lead your forces - with all the elephants, horses, and chariots - along the southern path or towards the southwest. There, you shall see Rama."
Upon hearing about the journey, the wives of Dasharatha descended from their chariots and gathered around the sage Bharadwaja. Among them was Kausalya, trembling and emaciated with grief. Along with Sumitra, she grasped the feet of the sage with her hands.
Kaikeyi, despised by all, also approached the sage. Overcome with shame, she grasped his feet. After reverently circumambulating the great ascetic, she stood not far from Bharata.
Bharadwaja, firm in his vows, asked Bharata:
"I wish to know about your mothers individually, O Bharata."
Bharata, skilled in speech, replied with folded palms:
"O venerable one, this forlorn and emaciated queen you see, looking like a goddess, is Kausalya, my father's principal queen. She gave birth to Rama, the tiger among men, who walks with the powerful stride of a lion, just as Aditi bore Dhata.
The lady leaning on Kausalya's left arm, looking like a withered branch of a karnikara tree in the forest, is Queen Sumitra. She is the mother of two heroes with true prowess - Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
And she, O sage, is my mother Kaikeyi. Because of her, Rama and Lakshmana entered the forest, and King Dasharatha ascended to heaven, deprived of his son. She is the root cause of the great calamity that has befallen us."
As Bharata spoke these words, his voice choked with tears, and he heaved sighs with reddened eyes, like an angry cobra.
The great sage Bharadwaja replied to Bharata with meaningful words:
"O Bharata, you should not blame Kaikeyi. Rama's exile will prove to be a source of great happiness in the future. It will bring about the welfare of the gods, the demons, and the sages of purified souls."
Bharata paid his respects to the sage, circumambulated him, and took his leave. He then ordered his army to prepare for departure. People of various ranks mounted their vehicles:
Chariots decorated with gold
Elephants, both male and female, adorned with golden girths and pennants
Various types of carriages, large and small
The foot soldiers marched on.
The queens, led by Kausalya, eager to see Rama, traveled in distinguished carriages. Bharata himself got into a splendid palanquin, radiant like the sun and moon, and proceeded with his retinue.
The vast army, teeming with elephants, horses, and chariots, moved southward like a great cloud. They traversed:
Forests full of birds and beasts
Mountains and streams on the other side of the Ganga
The army, with its jubilant soldiers, elephants, and horses, looked magnificent as it entered the great forest, frightening flocks of birds and animals.
This concludes the Ninety Second chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.