Has the jewel of the house of Raghu ever remembered me – his servant?’ On hearing Bharata’s very humble speech, Hanuman was in a rapture and fell at his feet, saying to himself, ‘How can he be otherwise than humble, the holiest of the holy and an ocean of perfections, whose virtues Raghunatha, Lord of all creation, recites with his own lips?’

‘Lord,’ he said, ‘to Rama you are dear as life itself; take my words to be true, dear master.’ Hearing this, Bharata embraced him again and again with a joy which was more than his heart could contain.

After bowing his head before Bharata’s feet, Hanuman swiftly returned to Rama and told him that all was well. Joyfully the Lord then mounted his chariot and flew on.

Filled with joy, Bharata returned to the city of Ayodhya and told the guru all the news. He then made it known in the palace that Raghunatha was coming to the city and was safe and sound.

On hearing the tidings, all the queen mothers started up and ran; but Bharata calmed them by assuring them of the Lord’s welfare. When the news reached the citizens, all ran out in their joy (to meet their lord), both men and women.

With golden dishes laden with curds and durva grass and the sacred yellow pigment, fruit and flowers and fresh leaves of the sacred tulasi (basil) plant, the root of all blessings, matrons sallied forth with the stately gait of an elephant, singing as they went.

All got up and ran just as they were, without stopping to bring with them either the children or the old; and people asked one another, ‘Brother, have you seen the gracious Raghunatha?’