Bharata, weighed down by grief and remorse, lamented aloud, “Alas! How cruel I must be, for it is because of me that Rāghava lies on such a bed with his wife, as if without support. Born into a royal lineage, bringing happiness to all people, beloved by all, he has abandoned the most cherished kingdom.” His heart ached as he wondered, “How is it that Rāghava, dark as a blue lotus, red-eyed and delightful to behold, who deserves only happiness and is worthy of no suffering, now lies on the ground?” He reflected with reverence, “Truly blessed and most fortunate is Lakṣmaṇa, marked with auspicious signs, who follows Rāma, his brother, in this difficult time. Vaidehī has attained her purpose, for she followed her husband to the forest, but we are all left uncertain, deprived of that great soul.” The world seemed changed to Bharata; “The earth appears bereft of its streams, empty, with Daśaratha gone to heaven and Rāma dwelling in the forest.” Bharata continued, “No one even desires the earth in thought, though Rāma dwells in the forest, for it is protected by the strength of his arms. Ayodhyā’s council chambers are empty, its horses and elephants unrestrained, its city gates open, and the royal treasury unguarded. The army is dispirited, diminished, in adversity, unprotected; even enemies do not covet it, as one does not desire food mixed with poison.” Resolute in his devotion, Bharata declared, “From today, I too will lie on the ground or on grass, always eating fruits and roots, wearing matted hair and bark garments. For his sake, I will dwell happily in the forest for the remaining time, having made this promise; it shall not be false. For the sake of his brother, Śatrughna will not remain with me; but with Lakṣmaṇa, the noble one will protect Ayodhyā. The twice-born will anoint the descendant of Kakutstha in Ayodhyā; may the gods grant that this true wish of mine be fulfilled, as I bow my head in supplication, if Rāma does not return in many ways. Then I will remain here for a long time, longing for Rāghava, who dwells in the forest, unable to abandon him.” After spending the night on the banks of the Ganges, Rāghava—meaning Bharata in this context—rose early and spoke to Śatrughna, “Śatrughna, rise! Why are you still lying down? Bring Guha, the king of the Niṣādas, quickly. He will help us cross the army over safely.” Śatrughna replied, “I am not sleeping; I am awake, thinking only of that noble one.” Thus prompted by his brother, Śatrughna spoke. As the two lion-like brothers conversed, Guha approached at the proper time, hands joined in reverence, and addressed Bharata, “Kākutstha, did you spend the night comfortably on the riverbank? Is everything well with you and your entire army?” Hearing Guha’s affectionate words, Bharata, obedient to Rāma, replied, “O king, our night was comfortable, and we were honored by you. Now let your boatmen ferry us across the Ganges with many boats.” Guha, hearing Bharata’s command, hurried back into the city and spoke to his kinsmen, “Rise up, awaken, may you always be blessed! Bring the boats together; we will ferry the army across.” Thus commanded, they quickly arose and, at the king’s order, gathered five hundred boats from all sides. Some boats were distinguished by the svastika mark, adorned with great bells, splendid with flags, fitted with sails, and firmly constructed. Guha then brought a boat marked with the svastika, covered with pale blankets, sounding with auspicious drums, and beautiful. Bharata and mighty Śatrughna boarded it. Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the other royal women, preceded by the priest, followed, along with the elders, Brāhmaṇas, royal wives, carts, and shops. As fires were lit for their camps and they entered the river crossing, the clamor of those carrying their goods reached the heavens. The boats with flags, manned by boatmen themselves, swiftly carried the embarked people across. Some boats were filled with women, others with horses, and some carried great wealth harnessed to vehicles. Having reached the far shore and disembarked the people, the boatmen and their kin began making various arrangements with bamboo poles. The elephants, adorned with victory banners and urged on by their riders, crossed and shone like mountains with flags. Some crossed in boats, others on rafts; some crossed using water jars, and others by swimming with their arms. Thus, the virtuous army crossed the Ganga by various means and, in an auspicious hour, proceeded to the excellent forest of Prayaga. After comforting the troops and settling them suitably, the great-souled Bharata, accompanied by priests, set out to see the eminent sage Bharadvaja. He approached the hermitage of the great Brahmin, priest of the gods, and saw the beautiful grove of huts and trees in the splendid forest belonging to the distinguished sage. Thus ends the eighty-ninth chapter of the glorious Ayodhya Book in the sacred, original poem, the Ramayana of Valmiki. Seeing Bharadvaja’s hermitage from a distance, Bharata, the foremost among men, stationed all the troops and went forward with his ministers. Knowing righteousness, he went on foot, having set aside his weapons and armor, wearing garments of fine cloth, with the chief priest leading. Then, for the audience with Bharadvaja, Raghava stationed his ministers and proceeded behind the chief priest, approaching the sage’s presence with humility and reverence.