Lakshmana’s eyes blazed with fury as he turned to Rama, his anger barely restrained. “Today, O giver of honor,” he declared, “I will unleash my pent-up rage and the insult we have suffered upon our enemy’s army, as a raging fire sweeps through dry grass. I will drench this forest of Chitrakuta in blood, piercing the bodies of our foes with my sharp arrows. Wild beasts will drag away elephants and horses whose hearts have been struck by my shafts, as well as men I have slain. I owe nothing to my arrows or my bow in this great battle—once I have killed Bharata and his army, I will be without doubt.” But Rama, seeing his brother so overtaken by wrath, gently calmed Lakshmana. He spoke with quiet wisdom: “What need is there for bow or sword and shield here, when Bharata himself, the great archer and wise one, has come? If I were to kill Bharata, who has come here faithfully upholding our father’s word, what would I do with a kingdom tainted by blame, O Lakshmana? Any wealth gained by destroying relatives or friends is as unacceptable to me as food mixed with poison. “O Lakshmana, I desire righteousness, wealth, pleasure, and even the earth itself only for your sake—I promise you this. For the sake of our brothers and for happiness, I desire even the kingdom, and I swear this to you by truth. This earth, surrounded by the ocean, is not difficult for me to obtain; but I would not desire even the lordship of the gods through unrighteousness, O gentle one. If any happiness should come to me without Bharata, you, or even Shatrughna, O giver of honor, let that happiness be reduced to ashes by fire. “I believe Bharata, who cherishes his brothers, has come to Ayodhya remembering our family duty, dearer to me than life itself. Having heard that I have been exiled, wearing matted hair and bark garments, together with Sita and you, O best of men, his heart has surely been overcome by affection and grief. Bharata must have come here to see me; it cannot be otherwise. Surely, after speaking harsh words to mother Kaikeyi and appeasing our father, the illustrious Bharata has come to return the kingdom to me. “It is the right time for Bharata to wish to see us; he would never do anything to displease us, not even in thought. When has Bharata ever wronged you in the past, or what fear troubles you today that you suspect Bharata now? Bharata should not be greeted with harsh or unpleasant words by you; if anything disagreeable must be said, let it be by me. How could sons ever kill their father in any calamity, or a brother kill his brother, O Saumitri, who is as dear to me as my own life? “If your words are spoken out of concern for the kingdom, then, upon seeing Bharata, I will tell him myself: ‘Let the kingdom be given to him.’ Even if I say this truthfully to Bharata, O Lakshmana, ‘Let the kingdom be given to him,’ he will certainly reply, ‘So be it.’” Hearing these gentle and noble words from his righteous brother, Lakshmana, overcome with shame, seemed to shrink into himself. Abashed, he replied, “I think it is our father, Dasharatha himself, who has come to see you.” Seeing his brother’s embarrassment, Rama said, “I think this mighty-armed one has come here to see us. Or perhaps he believes that we, accustomed to comfort, are unsuited for the forest and will take us home. Or perhaps my illustrious father, Raghava, will take Vaidehi, who is used to every comfort, from the forest and return. Look, O hero, those two splendid, well-bred, swift horses are visible—the best of steeds. That great-bodied elephant at the head of the army is Shatrunjaya, aged and belonging to my wise father. Yet I do not see the white parasol, honored by the world, my father’s divine emblem; this causes me doubt, O mighty-armed one.” Lakshmana, ever victorious in battle, descended from the hall and stood beside Rama with joined palms. Meanwhile, by Bharata’s command, the army set up camp all around the mountain to avoid confusion. The army of the Ikshvakus, filled with elephants, horses, and chariots, stretched for one and a half yojanas along the side of the mountain. Led by the wise Bharata, who set aside pride and upheld righteousness, the army shone on Chitrakuta, intent on pleasing the descendant of Raghu. Having settled the army, Bharata—the mighty one, best among those who walk on foot—set out on foot to approach Rama, following the path of his elders. When the army was settled in its proper place, Bharata spoke to his brother Shatrughna: “Dear one, you should quickly search this forest in all directions with these men and hunters.