With deep sincerity, Rāma turned to Lakṣmaṇa and spoke, “Lakṣmaṇa, know that my desire for the kingdom is not for my own sake, but only for the happiness of our brothers and the unity of our family. I swear this to you by the truth itself. This entire earth, encircled by the ocean, would not be difficult for me to obtain, gentle one. Yet, I would never seek even the sovereignty of the gods if it meant acting unrighteously. If any happiness were to come to me without Bharata, you, or even Śatrughna, O bestower of honor, let that happiness be utterly destroyed, reduced to ashes by fire. “I believe that Bharata—who so dearly cherishes his brothers—has returned to Ayodhyā, remembering his family duty, which is dearer to me than my own life. Having heard of my exile, seeing me clad in matted locks and bark garments, accompanied by Sītā and you, O best of men, his heart must be overcome by affection and his senses disturbed by grief. Surely, Bharata has come here to see me; it cannot be otherwise. Perhaps, after speaking harsh words in anger to mother Kaikeyī, and after appeasing our father, the illustrious Bharata has come to restore the kingdom to me. “It is the right time for Bharata to wish to see us. He would never do anything displeasing to us, not even in thought. When has Bharata ever wronged you in the past, or what fear troubles you now that you suspect his intentions? You must not speak harshly or unpleasantly to Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa. If anything disagreeable is to be said, let it come from me. How could sons ever harm their father in any calamity, or a brother harm his brother, O Saumitri, who is as dear as one’s own life? “If your concerns are because of the kingdom, then when we see Bharata, I will tell him: ‘Let the kingdom be his.’ And even if I say this truly to Bharata, he will certainly reply, ‘So be it,’ for such is his nature.” Hearing these words, Lakṣmaṇa, overcome with shame, seemed to shrink into himself. He replied, “I think it is our father, Daśaratha himself, who has come to see you.” Rāma, noticing Lakṣmaṇa’s embarrassment, gently responded, “I too think this mighty-armed one has come to see us. Or perhaps, thinking that we, accustomed to comfort, are unsuited for forest life, he will take us back home. Or perhaps my illustrious father, Raghava, will take Sītā, who is used to the highest comforts, from the forest and return. “Look, those two splendid, well-bred, delightful horses are visible, swift as the wind and the best among steeds. That great-bodied elephant at the head of the army is Shatrunjaya by name, aged and belonging to my wise father. But I do not see that white parasol, honored by the world and my father’s divine emblem, O mighty-armed one; this causes me doubt.” As the brothers observed, Lakṣmaṇa, victorious in battle, descended from the hall and stood beside Rāma with joined palms. By Bharata’s command, so that there would be no confusion, the army set up camp all around the mountain. The army of the Ikṣvākus, filled with elephants, horses, and chariots, occupied a vast area along the mountain’s side. Led by the wise Bharata, who had set aside all pride and upheld righteousness, the army shone brightly on Chitrakūṭa, seeking only to please the descendant of Raghu. Thus ends the ninety-seventh sarga of the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa, the first poem, composed by the sage Vālmīki. With the army stationed, the mighty Bharata, best among those who walk on foot, set out on foot to approach Kakutstha, following the path of his elders. When the army was settled in its proper place, Bharata spoke to his brother Śatrughna, “Dear one, quickly search this forest in all directions with these men and hunters. Let Guha, armed with bow, arrows, and sword, search for Kakutstha here, accompanied by his thousand kinsmen. I myself will traverse the entire forest on foot, accompanied by ministers, citizens, elders, and the twice-born. “Until I see Rāma, or the mighty Lakṣmaṇa, or the greatly fortunate Sītā, I will have no peace. Until I see my brother’s face, radiant as the moon and with eyes like lotus petals, I will have no peace. Until I place my brother’s feet, marked with royal signs, upon my head, I will have no peace. Until he, worthy of the kingdom, stands in the royal office of our fathers and is anointed with consecration water, I will have no peace. “Indeed, Saumitri is truly blessed, for he beholds the radiant, lotus-eyed face of Rāma, pure as the moon. The greatly fortunate Sītā, daughter of Janaka, is accomplished, for she follows her husband across the earth bounded by the ocean. Blessed too is this Chitrakūṭa, the mountain like the king of mountains, for Kakutstha dwells here like Kubera in Nandana. This formidable forest, frequented by wild beasts, has fulfilled its purpose, for the mighty Rāma, foremost among warriors, dwells here.