The Ramayan

Then Bharat to Satrughna showed The spot, and eager onward strode, First bidding Saint Vasishtha bring The widowed consorts of the king. As by fraternal love impelled His onward course the hero held, Sumantra followed close behind Satrughna with an anxious mind: Not Bharat's self more fain could be To look on Rama's face than he. As, speeding on, the spot he neared, Amid the hermits' homes appeared His brother's cot with leaves o'erspread, And by its side a lowly shed. Before the shed great heaps were left Of gathered flowers and billets cleft, And on the trees hung grass and bark Rama and Lakshman's path to mark: And heaps of fuel to provide Against the cold stood ready dried. The long-armed chief, as on he went In glory's light preeminent, With joyous words like these addressed The brave Satrughna and the rest: "This is the place, I little doubt, Which Bharadvaja pointed out, Not far from where we stand must be The woodland stream, Mandakini. Here on the mountain's woody side Roam elephants in tusked pride, And ever with a roar and cry Each other, as they meet, defy. And see those smoke-wreaths thick and dark: The presence of the flame they mark, Which hermits in the forest strive By every art to keep alive. O happy me! my task is done, And I shall look on Raghu's son, Like some great saint, who loves to treat His elders with all reverence meet."

Thus Bharat reached that forest rill, Thus roamed on Chitrakuta's hill; Then pity in his breast awoke, And to his friends the hero spoke: "Woe, woe upon my life and birth! The prince of men, the lord of earth Has sought the lonely wood to dwell Sequestered in a hermit's cell. Through me, through me these sorrows fall On him the splendid lord of all: Through me resigning earthly bliss He hides him in a home like this. Now will I, by the world abhorred, Fall at the dear feet of my lord, And at fair Sita's too, to win His pardon for my heinous sin."