“The spies on their arrival gave an account in Janaka’s court of Bharata’s doings as best as they could. The Guru (the sage ÝatŒnanda), the members of the royal family, the ministers and the king himself were all overpowered with grief and affection at the report. Then, collecting himself and gloryfying Bharata, the king summoned his chosen warriors and equerries and, posting guards at the palaces, city and realm got ready a number of horses, elephants, chariots and other conveyances. After ascertaining a lucky period within an hour* he started at once and did not halt on the way. Having bathed at PrayŒga this very morning, he has already left the place; and when the whole party began to cross the YamunŒ, they despatched us ahead for obtaining news, holy sir.” So saying they bowed their head to the ground. The great sage Vasiƒ¢ha dismissed the messengers at once, sending with them an escort of six or seven KirŒtas. (1—4)