Raghunatha, the ocean of compassion, has churned the deep sea, Bharata, with the Mandara of separation, and for the sake of gods and saints brought out from it the nectar of love.’ (If love is nectar, separation is Mount Mandara and Bharata the deep sea. After churning the depths of Bharata’s soul with the Mandara of separation, Raghunatha brought to light the nectar of love.)

Owing to the dense shade of the forest, the two charming brothers and their guide were not visible to Lakshmana, but Bharata saw the Lord’s holy hermitage, fair abode of all blessings.

Even as he entered it his burning grief was extinguished; it seemed as though an ascetic had realized the supreme truth. Bharata saw Lakshmana standing before the Lord and answering his questions in loving tones.

His hair was knotted on his head and he had a hermit’s robe girt about his loins; there was a quiver fastened to his waist, an arrow in his hand and a bow slung across his shoulder. On the altar in the midst of an assembly of hermits and holy men shone Sita and Raghunatha.

- who was clad in bark and had matted hair on his head and a swarthy complexion, as though Rati and Kamadeva had appeared there in hermit guise. He was turning about his bow and arrow between his lotus hands, and with one smiling glance dispelled the anguish of the heart.

In the midst of a glorious ring of hermits Sita and the Moon of Raghu’s line shone forth like Devotion and the Supreme Spirit (who is Truth and Consciousness and Bliss combined) incarnate in the council-chamber of Wisdom.

Bharata and his younger brother (Shatrughna) and his companion (Guha) were so enraptured that their joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, were all forgotten. Uttering the words ‘Save me, my lord! Save me, O holy one!’ he fell prostrate to the earth, like a log.