The Lord and Sita and Lakshmana sat down in the shade of the banyan tree and sorrowed at their separation from their friends and relatives. In eloquent terms Rama spoke to his beloved wife and younger brother of Bharata’s affection, noble disposition and sweet, civil tongue.

Overpowered by love, Rama commended with his own holy lips the faith and devotion Bharata had displayed in thought and word and deed. At that hour the birds and beasts and the fish in the streams and every creature at Chitrakuta, whether animate or inanimate, felt disconsolate.

Seeing Rama’s condition (his unmeasured love of Bharata), the gods rained down flowers and told him what had been going on in their several spheres (how the demons were hell-bent on torturing them). The Lord made obeisance and reassured them, and they returned rejoicing, relieved of all their fears.

So with Sita and his younger brother the Lord shone forth in his hut of leaves, as resplendent as Devotion and Dispassion and Wisdom in bodily form.

The sages, the Brahmans, the guru, Bharata and king Janaka felt much afflicted at parting with Rama, and they paced the road in silence, recalling the Lord’s many perfections.

They all crossed the Yamuna and passed that day fasting. The next halt was made on the other bank of the Ganga (at Shringaverapura) where Rama’s friend (Guha) made every arrangement for their comfort.

Then they crossed the Sai and bathed in the Gomati, and on the fourth day reached Ayodhya. King Janaka stayed in the city for four days and settled the entire administration and property of the state: