[495] The lunar asterism comprising three stars of which one is the Cancer.
Hearing those words affording great delight, Bharata, the slayer of enemies, having truth for his prowess, delighted, ordered Satrughna, (saying),--"Let all people being purified worship all the deities and altars of the city with fragrant garlands and diverse music. Let all the bards conversant with the chanting of the pedigree, the flatterers, all those conversant with music, the dancing girls, the queens, the courtiers, the soldiers with their wives, Brahmanas, Kshatryas, and people of all other castes, issue out to behold the moon-like countenance of Rama". Hearing the words of Bharata, Satrughna, the slayer of enemies, divided the work amongst the servants, (saying),--"Do ye level the high and low ground from Nandigram to (Ayodhya). Do ye perfectly water the ground with cold water. Thereafter sprinkle all the places with flowers and dried paddy; hoist up flags all over the city; decorate all the houses, before the rising of the moon with garlands, jewels, flowers of gold and things of five other colours. Let hundreds of men watch the thorough-fares". Hearing the command of Satrughna, issued out with delight Dhristi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddartha, Arthasadhaka, Asoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra. Thereupon issued out men on horse back and in cars with thousands of mad elephants well-decked with pennons and she-elephants with golden seats (on their backs). And some heroes proceeded encircled by a thousand excellent steeds and persons carrying _Sakti_, _Risthi_, maces and pennons and thousands of infantry. Thereupon proceeded Sumitra and all other wives of Daçaratha placing Kauçalya before them and seated in excellent conveyances. And hearing of the return of his brother and attaining to delight, the high-souled and pious Bharata, reduced with fasting, poorly, wearing bark and skin of an antelope and conversant with religion, issued out to receive back Rama in the company of his counsellors and encircled by the twice-born ones, the people of diverse castes, his own relations and kinsmen and ministers with garlands and _Modaka_[496] in their hands, eulogized by the bards, having his arrival announced with the sound of conchs and bugles and placing the sandals of his worshipful brother on his head and taking white umbrella adorned with white garlands and white _Chowries_ decked with gold and worthy of being used by the kings. Thereupon with the sound of the horses' hoofs and cars, conchs and bugles the earth shook. And the whole city went to Nandigram. And beholding the Wind-god's son, Bharata said,--"Didst thou not resort to the usual fickleness of the monkeys? We do not behold the worshipful Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha--the slayer of foes. Nor do we behold the monkeys assuming shapes at will". Having been addressed with those words, Hanuman replied, communicating unto Bharata, having truth for his prowess, the truth,--"Having reached the trees, covered by the favour of Varadwaja, with fruits and flowers and pouring honey, the monkeys are emitting noise like maddened black bees. O slayer of foes, this boon was granted him (Rama) by Vasava. (Varadwaya) is treating him with his army with all hospitality. Hear the dreadful noise of the delighted monkeys. Methinks the monkey host hath crossed the river Gomati. Behold the huge upheaval of dust towards the _Sala_ forest. Methinks the monkeys are agitating the graceful _Sala_ forest. Behold there at the distance the car resembling the Sun. This celestial car _Pashpaka_, constructed by Brahma's mind, was obtained by the high-souled (Rama) after having slain Ravana with his friends. This celestial car, resembling the newly risen Sun, coursing at will and carrying Rama (was gained) by the favour of the Giver of wealth. (There are) the two heroic brothers--the descendants of Raghu with Yaidehi, the highly effulgent Sugriva and the Rakshasa Bibhishana. Thereupon with the sound of "there is Rama" there arose a joyous noise reaching the abode of the celestials from among women, children, the young and the old. Thereupon descending upon the earth from chariots, elephants and horses all people beheld him (Rama) stationed on the car like unto the moon in the sky. And facing Raghava and with folded hands Bharata delightedly worshipped him with agreeable words, _Arghya_ and water to wash his feet. There appeared in the car constructed by Brahma's mind the elder brother of Bharata having expansive eyes like the immortal wielder of thunder-bolt. Thereupon Bharata humbly saluted his brother Rama seated on the top of the car like unto the Sun on the summit (of the mount Meru). And commanded by Rama that excellent car drawn by ganders got down on the earth with great velocity.