Bharata, filled with anticipation and reverence, addressed his companions, “Let all of you remain here; none should go ahead. I alone will proceed, along with Sumantra and the revered teacher.” Obedient to his words, everyone stayed back, standing in every direction, while Bharata fixed his gaze intently on the distant smoke rising from the forest, a sign that Rāma was near. The entire army, stationed by Bharata and watching even the smoke ahead, soon grew joyful, sensing that the long-awaited meeting with their beloved Rāma was imminent. Thus concluded the ninety-third sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the venerable Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Meanwhile, Rāma, having dwelled for some time on the mountain so dear to the forests and hills, continued to long for his beloved Sītā, Vaidehī, captivating his own mind with thoughts of her as he remained there. Rāma, son of Daśaratha, then showed the wondrous Citrakūṭa mountain to his wife, Sītā, with a radiance akin to Indra showing Śacī the city of the gods. He said gently, “O gentle one, the loss of the kingdom or separation from friends does not trouble my mind when I behold this delightful mountain.” “Behold, O gentle one,” he continued, “this mountain is adorned with multitudes of various birds. Its peaks pierce the sky and are decorated with minerals. Some peaks resemble silver, some are like fresh blood, some are yellow or crimson, and others shine with the radiance of precious gems. Some regions gleam like flowers, sunlight, or ketaka blossoms; some shine with the glow of fire. All these lands of the lord of mountains are adorned with minerals.” He pointed out the abundance of wildlife: “This mountain is filled with many kinds of deer, wild beasts, tigers, bears, and trees, and is inhabited by harmless creatures. It shines with flocks of birds. It is covered with mango, jambū, asana, lodhra, priyāla, jackfruit, dhava, aṅkola, bhavyatiniśa, bilva, tinduka, and bamboo trees. There are kāśmarya, ariṣṭa, varuṇa, madhūka, tilaka, badarī, āmalaka, nīpa, vetra, dhanvana, and bījaka trees as well.” “Adorned with such trees, bearing flowers and fruits, with delightful shade, this mountain flourishes in beauty. On the lovely slopes of the mountain, see these wondrous, awe-inspiring kinnaras, wise ones, delighting together in pairs, O gentle one. See the swords hanging from branches and the splendid garments—these are the enchanting playgrounds of the Vidyādhara women.” “With waterfalls, springs, and streams flowing here and there, this mountain shines, like an elephant exuding fragrant ichor. The mountain breeze, carrying fragrances from various flowers, comes to delight the sense of smell—who would not be gladdened by it?” “If I dwell here for many autumns with you, O faultless one, and with Lakṣmaṇa, sorrow will not consume me. On this charming mountain, abundant with flowers and fruits and filled with many kinds of birds, with its varied peaks, I find delight, O lovely one.” Rāma reflected on his exile, saying, “Through this exile in the forest, I have gained two fruits: I have fulfilled my duty to my father, and I have done what is pleasing to Bharata. Vaidehi, do you find joy here on Chitrakuta with me, as you observe the many forms of life, restrained in mind, speech, and body?” He spoke of ancient traditions: “The royal sages of old declared this alone to be immortal: my ancestors undertook exile in the forest for the sake of spiritual purpose after death.” He pointed out the beauty around them: “The broad rocks of the mountain shine all around in their hundreds, abundant with many colors—blue, yellow, white, and red. At night, the herbs, radiant with their own light, shine by the thousands on the lord of mountains, like tongues of sacred fire. Some regions of this mountain resemble dwellings, others appear like gardens, and some, O beautiful one, shine as if formed from a single rock. It is as if Chitrakuta has burst forth, splitting the earth; the peak of Chitrakuta is seen everywhere, auspicious in every direction.” “See, the beds of lovers are covered with leaves of kuṣṭha, punnāga, asoka, and bhūrja trees, and adorned with lotus petals. See, O fair one, the garlands of lotuses, crushed and cast aside by lovers, and the various fruits scattered about. This Chitrakuta mountain, rich in roots, fruits, and water, surpasses even the lotus-filled lakes of the northern Kurus, the abodes of the gods.” “O lovely one, I will spend this time with you, Sītā, and with Lakṣmaṇa, delighting in a joy that upholds the noble path, established in the highest self-restraint.” Thus ended the ninety-fourth sarga in the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient and illustrious Rāmāyaṇa composed by sage Vālmīki. Then, having descended from the mountain, the lord of Kosala, Rāma, showed Maithili the beautiful Mandakini river, with its pure waters. Lotus-eyed Rāma spoke to the noble princess, daughter of the king of Videha, whose face was lovely as the moon. He said, “Behold the Mandakini river, charming with its varied sandbanks, frequented by swans and cranes, and adorned with lotuses. See how she is encircled on all sides by many kinds of trees bearing flowers and fruits, shining like a lotus pond of a king of kings.” He observed with delight, “Now, the waters at the fords, muddied by herds of deer, are delightful to me and awaken my joy. At the proper time, the sages, wearing matted locks and deer skins, and clad in bark garments, enter the Mandakini river, beloved. O wide-eyed one, these great sages, steadfast in their vows, stand with arms raised in discipline, worshipping the sun.” Finally, he pointed out, “See how the mountain, with its peaks shaken by the wind, seems to dance, while the trees all around shed their leaves and flowers into the river.