Ayodhya Kand
Narration
Now begins the fifty-fourth canto.
Shri Ram, together with Lakshman and Sita, goes to Prayag, to the hermitage of sage Bharadwaj near the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. The sage welcomes and honors them as guests and instructs them to stay at Mount Chitrakoot, describing its sanctity and beauty.
Having spent a pleasant night under that great tree, the three of them set out the next morning at sunrise. Traveling through the great forest toward the place where the river Bhagirathi (Ganga) meets the Yamuna, they saw along the way many kinds of lands and delightful regions they had never seen before.
Walking and resting peacefully, they admired trees of many varieties covered with blossoms. As the day drew to its close, Shri Ram said to Lakshman, “O son of Sumitra, look there — near Prayag! The sacred smoke rising from the flag of Lord Agni is visible. It seems sage Bharadwaj must be here. Surely we have reached the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, for I can hear the sound made where the two rivers meet. Look, the people who live by gathering fruits, roots, and wood from the forest are visible, and the cut stumps of trees near the hermitage can also be seen.”
While thus speaking, the two heroic bowmen, Shri Ram and Lakshman, reached by sunset the hermitage of the great sage Bharadwaj near the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna.
As they entered the hermitage boundary, their bows frightened the birds and animals there. Walking quickly along a path that could be covered in just a short time, they reached the sage Bharadwaj. Desiring to see the great rishi, Shri Ram and Lakshman, along with Sita, stood humbly at some distance. Sending word of their arrival through one of the sage’s disciples, and obtaining permission to enter, they went into the leafy hut.
There they beheld the great ascetic Bharadwaj, single-minded, firm in vows, and endowed through austerity with divine vision that could see all three times — past, present, and future. He was seated on his seat, surrounded by disciples, performing the sacred fire offering. Seeing the sage, Shri Ram, with Lakshman and Sita, folded his hands and bowed at his feet.
Then Shri Raghunath introduced himself, saying:
“Revered one, we are both sons of King Dasharatha. My name is Ram, and this is Lakshman. This noble lady is Sita, daughter of King Janaka of Videha — my virtuous and devoted wife, who has come with me to share the forest life. Seeing me going to the forest on my father’s command, my beloved younger brother, the son of Sumitra, also took the vow to dwell in the forest and has followed me. O holy one, by my father’s order we three are going to live in the forest, eating fruits and roots and following the path of righteousness.”
Hearing these words of the wise prince Ram, the righteous sage Bharadwaj offered them the hospitality due to honored guests — a cow, and water for their welcome. The noble ascetic then provided them with many kinds of food, drinks, and forest fruits, and arranged a place for them to rest.
Around the sage were seated deer, birds, and other hermits. In their midst he sat, welcoming Shri Ram as an honored guest. Having accepted his hospitality, Shri Ram took his seat, and then the sage Bharadwaj spoke these words of righteousness to him:
“O jewel of the Kakutstha line, Shri Ram! I have long awaited your auspicious arrival at this hermitage. Today my wish is fulfilled. I have also heard that you were sent to exile without reason. This place near the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna is very sacred and peaceful. Its natural beauty is delightful. Therefore, you should reside here comfortably.”
Hearing the sage’s gracious words, Shri Ram, ever concerned for the welfare of all beings, replied with humility:
“Revered sage, the people of my city and kingdom live nearby. I think, knowing that I am here, they will often come to see me and Sita. Therefore, I do not think it right to stay here. Kindly point out some secluded hermitage where the princess of Videha, who is used to comfort, may happily dwell.”
Hearing this, the great sage Bharadwaj, wishing to fulfill Ram’s purpose, said:
“About ten kos from here is a beautiful, supremely holy mountain frequented by great sages. That is where you should dwell. Many monkeys roam there; bears also live there. That mountain is famous by the name Chitrakoot and is as charming as Gandhamadan. When a man beholds the peaks of Chitrakoot, he gains the fruits of meritorious deeds and his mind is freed from sin. Many sages, their hair white as skulls with age, performed austerities there for hundreds of years and then ascended to heaven.
That very mountain I consider best for your peaceful and pleasant dwelling. Or, Shri Ram, if you wish, stay here with me in this hermitage for your forest life.”
Saying this, sage Bharadwaj gladdened his beloved guest Shri Ram, along with Sita and Lakshman, by serving them all kinds of desirable things with joy and affection.
At Prayag, Shri Ram sat with the sage and spoke of many wondrous topics. Meanwhile, the full-moon night arrived. Though fit for enjoyment, they were weary from travel, so in the beautiful hermitage of Bharadwaj, Shri Ram, with Sita and Lakshman, spent that night peacefully.
When the night had passed and morning came, the lion among men, Shri Ram, approached the radiant sage Bharadwaj and said, “Revered one, by nature you are truthful. We spent a very pleasant night at your hermitage. Now please grant us permission to go onward to our next destination.”
At dawn, hearing Shri Ram speak thus, the sage Bharadwaj said, “O mighty Shri Ram, go to Mount Chitrakoot, which is filled with sweet fruits and roots. That is the best dwelling place for you. That well-known Chitrakoot mountain is lush with many kinds of trees. Kinnaras and serpents live there, and its charm is enhanced by the cries of peacocks. The great elephants wander there. Go and dwell there. That mountain is supremely holy, delightful, and rich in fruits and roots. Herds of elephants and graceful deer move within its forests — you will see them yourself.
You will behold the Mandakini river, countless springs, mountain peaks, caves, and waterfalls. That mountain will delight your heart as you dwell there with Sita. With the cheerful cries of peacocks and cuckoos, that mountain seems to entertain the travelers. It is supremely pleasant and auspicious. Its beauty is heightened by joyous deer and elephants mad with the rut of youth. Therefore, O descendant of Raghu, go and set up your dwelling there; live on that mountain.”