Now, O merciful one, that plan best pleases me which will cause my master’s soul the least embarrassment. By my lord’s feet I swear and affirm in good faith that this is the only way to ensure the happiness of the world.

Each one of us will dutifully obey the commands that the Lord may be pleased to give with a cheerful heart and without reserve, and all this trouble and perplexity will be at an end.’

The gods rejoiced when they heard Bharata’s guileless speech and with repeated acclamations commended him and showered down flowers; but the people of Ayodhya were overwhelmed with uncertainty. The ascetics and dwellers in the forest were overjoyed.

Embarrassed, Raghunatha maintained silence, and when they saw the Lord’s condition, the whole assembly felt disquieted. At that very moment there arrived messengers from king Janaka. When the sage Vasishtha heard of it, he sent for them at once.

They made obeisance and looked at Rama and were sorely grieved to behold his dress (which resembled that of a hermit). The great sage Vasishtha asked the messengers if all was well with king Janaka.

At this question the noble messengers felt abashed and bowed their heads to the ground and with folded hands replied, ‘Your courteous inquiry itself, O lord, has proved conducive to our good, holy father.

Otherwise, O lord, well-being died with the king Kosala, whose death has left the whole world, especially Mithila (Janaka’s capital) and Ayodhya, orphaned.