The high sage, Bharadvaja, gave him his blessing; and in his heart was great joy as he perceived that God had set before him in visible form the fruit of all his merits.

After inquiring of their welfare, the sage gave them seats and offered them his loving homage, making them well content. He then brought and offered them bulbs and fruit and shoots, all as delicious as ambrosia.

With Sita, Lakshmana and his devotee (Guha), Rama partook of those delicious roots and fruit with much relish. When Rama was refreshed and all his fatigue forgotten, Bharadvaja addressed him in gentle tones:

‘Today my penance, my service to holy places and my renunciation have all been rewarded; today my prayers, my austerities and my detachment have borne fruit; yea, all my pious practices have today been rewarded, O Rama, by the sight of your person.

There is no higher gain, no greater joy than this. In beholding you all my hopes have been realized. Now of your favour grant me this one boon, a spontaneous devotion to your lotus feet.

Until a man is unfeignedly devoted to you in thought and word and deed, he cannot even dream of happiness, despite all that he may do.

On hearing the sage’s words, Rama was embarrassed, but was sated with delight at so exquisite a display of love and devotion. Then Raghubara recounted to them all in a myriad ways the sage’s illustrious renown, saying, -