The blisters on the soles of his feet glistened like dewdrops on a lotus-bud. The whole company were distressed when they heard that Bharata had made the day’s march on foot.

After ascertaining that everybody had bathed, he repaired to Triveni, the threefold stream, and made obeisance to it. He bathed with due ceremony in the white and dark waters and honoured the Brahmans with gifts.

As he gazed on the dark and white waves, Bharata felt a thrill of joy and prayed with folded hands, ‘You are the bestower of all desired objects, O chief of sacred places; your glory is known to the Vedas and manifest throughout the world!

Abandoning my proper calling, I come as a beggar; for is there anything so vile that a man in distress will not do it? With this in mind the wise and generous donors answer the prayers of the suppliant in this world.

I have no liking for wealth or religious merit or sensuous enjoyment, nor again do I ask for deliverance from transmigration; only this one boon I crave, devotion to the feet of Rama in every new birth.

Though Rama himself should deem me evil, though the people should call me the ruin of my guru and my master, yet by your grace may my devotion to the feet of Sita and Rama grow ever greater day by day.

Though the cloud neglects the cuckoo all her life, and when she asks for rain pours down upon her thunderbolts and hail, yet were the bird to cease her importunity, she would be scorned; only as her love increases is she honoured.