Lakshmana observes bharathas army

Seetha and Rama returned to their abode.Bharathas army was making huge noise and Rama could hear it.He enquired with Lakshmana what that noise and disturbance would be. Lakshama went up a saala tree and observed in all the four directions.On northern side he could see a big army approaching them.Lakshmana started giving directions to Rama to suppress the fire.He also told him To take Seetha into the cave.He directed him to adorn his bow and arrows and be ready for a fight. Rama asked him whose army it might be.

Lakshmana was very angry.He told Rama that it Was Bharaths army.He could perceive by the flag on his chariot.There was kovidaara dhwajam on the flag and by that sign Lakshmana could come to the conclusion that it was Bharatha only.He had alighted the throne and came here to kill Rama and others.We should be ready to fight him.He alone is resonsible for all their troubles.There is nothing wrong in putting an to Bharathas life.He would kill Bharatha and return the kingdom to Rama .He would kill the entire army and also Kaikeyi.

Rama started consoling Lakshmana.Bharatha is coming in person.So where is the necessithy for war and arms?They had come to fulfil their fathers wish.There is no meaning in killing Bharatha and retrieving the kingdom.First of all what use do I have with the kingdom?But for you,why do I need it?I dont want even Indras post by wrong means.If we think coolly ,WE can percieve that he might of heard of our difficulties and was coming to see them in person.Bharatha might have scolded his mother for her rash act and might have come to give back the kingdom to Rama.He would never even dream of harming us.Why are you doubting his integrity?Did he plan any harm in thepast?Never talk ill fo BHarath.If you talk like .it is as if you are abusing me.

He started to apcify Lakshmana thus.Does anyone kill their kith and kin if difficulties arise?If you are interested in the throne ,if I say once to Bharatha of your interest,he would immediately give it to you.For such a simple act is all this hungaama and drama required?

Lakshmana felt ashamed hearing Ramas reply.To divert Rama sdirection ,he started talking thus.There is a poosibilty thata their father might be coming to see them.

Rama observed Lakshmanas plight and answered simply that it was also a possibility.He might be coming to take them back to Ayodhya.Dasaradhas elephant,Sathrunjayam was walking in front of the army.But their fathers FLAG ,SWATHACCHATHRAM WAS NOT VISIBLE.So tehre is doubt regarding his arrival.So he directe dLakshmana to come down the tree he has alighted all along.Lakshmana came down some how.

SEETHA&RAMA AT CHITRAKOOTA

IT HAD BEEN A month since Rama and Seetha started residing at Chitrakoota.They were happy.They spent their time with happy dialogues.Rama was showing Seetha the hills and mountains.How beautiful they were!Seeing them, he was not feeling bitter that he had lost his kingdom. and left his friends at Ayodhya.He was telling her to enjoy the scenery.Some mountains are glowing like silver!Some other mountains are reddish in hue.Some are looking golden bright in sunlight.Some are glowing like Indraneelas,some others like pushyaraagaas,others like mogalirekulu,and someothers are bright like stars.

He is telling her his heart was lost to its beauty.Did you see that tree ?All types of trees and flowers could be seen there.Rivulets were flowing making beautiful humming noise.air is filled with beautiful scents of various flowers.Even if I stay many years wlth you and LaKSHMANA ,I would never feel sorry.This vanavaas achieved two goals.One was that he could fulfil his fathers wish.Second was that he could make Bharatha happy.Rama was enquiring if Seetha was also happy like him.His elders applauded that vanavas was like in heaven.One could find colored stones in all shades like blue,yellow,white,red and many other colors.

Rama as still telling Seetha that this place was famous for aushadhas which shine during night times.Someplaces resemble houses,some other places resemble gardens.There is shortage of fruits and sprouts.This place was better than ALAKAAPURI ANDSOWGANDHIKA SARASSU(KUBERUNI SARASSU), AND NORTHERN KURUDESAMULU.

They could stay their entire period of fourteen years here only happily.Seetha and Rama came down fron the mountain and walked towards river Mandakini.

He was showing her the river.Swans and lotus flowers are bewitching.Deers come here to quench their thirst.He likes this river very much.Trees which are on the banks of the river are dropping their flowers and leaves in to the river. At some places waters are looking as if there were collections of Muthyaalu.Let us play water games here.

Seetha,hear my words attentively!Conside the wild animals of the forest as people of Ayodhya.Consider Chithrakoota parvatham as Ayodhya. Consider Mandaakini as Sarayi river.

Both you and Lakshmana are congenial towards me.Taking bath thrice a day ,having sweet fruits and sprouts ,he was enjoing life very much.Living such life with Seetha,his mind is not dragging him towards Ayodhya or the kingdom.Walikng like that they sat on a flat place on the hillock.He was feeding Seetha talking to her gently and lovingly.During that time,they could hear the noice of bharathas army approaching them.Elephants and other wild animals were running here and there in anxiety.

Rama was reassessing himself that he was in favor of living in the woods than in ayodhya just before Bharathas arrival there.He wants to reascertain Seethas acceptance of the situation.

BHARATHA LEAVES FOR CHITHRA KOOTA

Bharatha leaves for chithrakoota next morning after paying homage to Bharadwaaja.He was happy that previous night had passed happily.He wanted to take leave of him.He would behappy if Bharadwwaja told him the correct way .

Bharadwaaja replied that if bharatha walked 2 1/2 amadas in the forest he would come across chithrakoota parvatham.Mandaakini river flows on its eastern side.Parnasaala of Rama and lakshmana is there.His army should walk to the southern side or nairuthi side.

Kousalya,Sumithra and kaikeyi had sought blessings of Bharadwaaja.Bharadwaaja directed Bharatha to introduce his mothers.The woman who is weak and dull without food WAS KOUSALYA.She is the queen of Dasaradha.She is the mother of teh great soul Rama.Sage who is holding her hand was Sumithra.She is the mother of Lakshamana and Sathrughna.

Person who is the centre piece of all this havoc is Kaikeyi.She is my mother.

Bharadwaaja consoled Bharatha not to think ill of her mother for her deeds.Due to this act of her,in future good will come out of it.This deed would bring out good for sages,deities and all the lokas.

Bbharath a prayed Bharadwaaja and took his blessings.Every one was happy.All the animals like elephants,bearsand deers were afraid of the army of Bharatha.They were all running hither and thither.He had huge army.

After going for sometime Bharatha was talking to Vasishta.This might be tha place Bharadwaaja informed.It is so pleasant.See the flowers on the trees.They are resembling certain hair style of southern countries.He turned towards Sathrughna and talked to him.Brother!did you see!Our horses are running fast with pleasure because they are going to Rama within short time.This might be the place where sages live.This is all so pleasant.It is like heaven.

Bharatha orderedsome of his army to lokk out for Ramas abode.They swa smoke some where and promptly informed.They come came the conclusion that either Rama and Lakshmana or some other sages might be residing there.

Bharatha directed them to maintain silence.He along with Vasishta would go there and look.Army stopped ther e.Army and Bharatha looked at the smoke coming near by with intent.

BHARADWAJAS FEAST

Bharadwaaja called for Viswakarma and everything was made ready.Rivers came to the abode of Bharadwaaja.In some of the rivers wine flew.In others quality drinks flew.Apsaras came down.Kuberas chaithraratha vanam came .Different varieties of food items were present.Garlands.spices and condimets were present.Apsaras danced and gandharvas sang songs.Buildings rose up for accomodation.Kings palace was created.All facilities were present there.There were oulits to lie down and carts for transportation.Bharatha entered that palace.Ministers and purohiths followed him.That palace had huge kings chair and assembly hall.Bharatha circled them with reverence and sat in the appropriate seat.Ministers also sat in proper places.Rivers of kheerannam were flowing before bharatha.On either side of those rivers,big buildings came up.Celestial dancers came in thousands and danced before him.Narada,Thumbura and Gopudu came and sang before him. Plants,bushes,shrubs,creepers and trees of  Chaithraradhavanam brought happiness to the eyes of the viewers.Various flowers released scented smell into the air.
Let us look at the artillery persons of Bharatha.Creepers became women and told them to enjoy the day.For each person,ten beautiful women attended.They gave them oil and massage bath,gave them wine and  feasted them.All the soldiers enjoyed very much.They refused to goto either Ayodhya or dankaranya forest.Let Rama be well.This alone is heaven.There is no heaven other than this.
Bharadwaja gave this test to Bharatha.Because when he was unhappy in his uncles house,his friends resorted to refuel him by making him indulge in such material pleasures.All this shows that he was alavish person enjoing his life in full.If kingdom comes unasked for such a person he has various ways and means to fulfil his worldly pleasures.
But Bharatha did not waver in his decision to hand over the kingdom to Rama.Other common people forgot their determination and indulged in these pleasures.Entire night went on like this.By the morning all these creations vanished.Here and there some garlands which were crumpled were lying on the ground. 

BHARATHA APPROACHES BHARADWAAJA AASRAMAM

gUHA ARRANGED BOATS.They were special boats called ,SWASTHIKAMULU.They are closed and windows are arranged so that air and light can enter inside.They were decorated with flags and bells.Bharatha, SAthrughna,Vasishta and other elders,Queens and allothers aboarded the boats.Carts, horses ,oxen were also included.Elephants were made walk through the river by their masters.Some went by ships, some others by boats , some used pottery and some swam to reach the other side of Ganges.They reached Prayaagavanam.One mile before reaching Bharadwaajaasramam ,Bharatha asked his army to stop there itself. Heleft his ammunition,arms ,jewllery and wore Silk robes .He started to the ashramam along with Vasishta and ministers.Ministers stayed behind and Bharatha went inside along with Vasishta.Bharatha prayed him with respect.Bharadwaaja welcomed them and enquired about their welfare.

Then Bharadwaaja asked Bharatha why he had come to the woods. He should now be in Ayodhya ruling the people,.Fearing that Rama might demand kingdom in future.did he come to harm Rama.Lakshmana and Seetha?Hearing these words Bharatha wept. He pleaded that even he suspected his motives, he had no where to go in this world. He explained to him that he had no role in these developments. He was not even present at Ayodhya during that time. Actually he had come to request his brother to return to Ayodhya and take back the kingdom.Bharatha requested Bharadwaaja to tell them about Ramas where aboutsTo enable them to succeed in their mission.

Bharadwaaja praised Bharatha that he was apt to be a person belonging to Raghuvamsa.All along he knew Bharathas intention. But he wanted the entire world to know about his determination.That was why he spoke so.He told him Rama and Lakshmana were in Chithra kutam. They could go leisurely the next day .He wanted the to stay in his aashram that day.But Bharatha said that he was fully satisfied with his welcome. But Bharadwaaja said that he wanted to feed his people and the army.He enquired why Bharatha had left his army at adistance.

Bahratha replied that he did not want to disturb the peace of the aashram.So ,on Bharadwaajaas request all his army approached .

Bharatha&guhas dialogue

Guha was praising Lakshmana in front of Bharatha.Lakshmana did not sleep the entire night to save Rama.Guha requested Lakshmana to sleep on the bed.They would look after Ramas welfare for the night.But Lakshmana did not oblige.His reply was that how could he sleep peacefully when his brother was in such trouble.He woke up the entire night.Next day morning they wore jatas and started to cross the Ganges.Hearing these words Bharatha fainted.Sathrughna started weeping seeing Bharathas plight.Their mothers came running.Kousalya hugged Bharatha.She enquired if he was not well.All their lives depended on his welfare now.Did he hear any bad news regarding Rama and Lakshmana. She was anxious to know.Bharatha got up and consoled her.

Bharatha wanted Guha to tell him some more details regarding Ramas stay that night.He wanted to know where he slept and what did he eat that night.Guha replied that he brought many food items but RAMA did not even look at them. He said that they only give but never take anything from others. He drank Ganga water and slept .Water was brought to him by Lakshmana.Lakshmana brought grass to make a crude bed for Rama and Lakshamana and laid it.Still that grass was there only. Bharatha showed the place for his mothers.

Bharatha started Lamenting on Ramas plight. King of kings ,who has to enjoy all the material benifits in this world ,had to sleep on the floor in the woods.Is it a dream or a truth.Seetha had to face so many troubles.Daughter of Janaka mahaaraju and daughter inlaw of Dasaradha had to lie on a bed of grass.Bharatha started observing those grass and was saying thus. Rama could not have slept properly and would turned and tussled .That was why grass blades were rumpled.Seetha might have slept with her ornaments because gold powder could be seen minutely there.Her silk saree might have tangled in the grass.Because silk threads could be seen here and there.

What a turn of fate!RAMA and Seetha were suffering so much!There was no one as cursed as he in this entire world. Lakshma was blessed because he could accompany Rama in time of need. Seetha was also blessed because she too followed her husband to the forest.

Rama went far off from them.They had to bring him nearer.Though Rama as not in the country, others kings have not invaded because they knew Ramas power.Bharatha is deciding that from then on wards he too would lead a life of a sage.

He would fulfill the act supposed to be done by Rama and live in the forest along with Sathrughna.Let Rama rule Ayodhya along with Lakshmana.Let the gods fulfil his wish!!

If Rama refuses to come back to Ayodhya, he should atleast allow him to stay with him.

Next dy morning Bharatha woke up Sathrughna. Sathrughna said he did not sleep the entire night thinking of Rama only.In the meanwhile Guha came and enquired about the arrangements aand how well they slept the previous night.Bharatha said that they were satisfied with his arrangements and he should help them cross the river as soon as possible.

Guhudu meets Bharatha

Guha observed Bharathas army and started telling his people thus.His army was like a sea.Bharatha had come in person. Is he having any wrong notion?Did he come to capture or kill them?SreeRama was not only his friend but also his master.Everyone should be alert on the banks of Ganges with 500 ships each carrying hundred yodhaas.If Bharatha did not have any bad intentions, They would help them in crossing the river to the other side.
Guha brought wine and meat to Bharatha.Sumanthra recognised Guha and informed Bharatha.He told that Guha was afriend of Rama. He was the king of that country. He knows Dandakaaranyam very well.He must be knowing about Rama and Lakshmana.Guha came to see Bharatha.Guha came and talked to Bharatha.He welcomed Bharatha to his abode .He was unaware of their arrival. As soon as he knew hw had to come to recieve him.He requested him to be his guest that night and start journey the next day.
Bharatha was happy and contented .He enquired Guha about the way to Bharadwaajaasramamu.They could not find the way.  Crossing Ganges is also seeming difficult.Then Guha told that his men and he himself would help them. But first of all , he wanted to be sure whether Bharatha is planning any harm to Rama and Lakshmana.
Bharatha was aghast by this remark. He told hin not to doubt him. He had come toTAKE back Rama and Lakshmana to Ayodhya.
Guha was relieved and praised Bharatha like this. No one would reject kingdom which has come as afavor. He had come to Help Rama and take him back.His greatness would be permanent in the world.By this time it became evening and they had to stay there only. Bharatha was unhappy and Guha was consoling him and they were talking about the incidents that occured when Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha had come.