Bharata and his party took a dip into the Trive˜¶ (the confluence of the Ga˘gŒ, YamunŒ and Sarasvat¶), the chief of sacred places, and bowed their head to the sage (BharadvŒja). Bharata reverently received his orders and blessings and prostrating himself made much supplication. Accompanied by expert guides and taking the whole host along- with him he proceeded on his journey with his thoughts directed towards Citrakµu¢a. Holding Ýr¶ RŒma’s friend (Guha) by the hand he walked along like the very incarnation of love. He had no shoes and no umbrella over his head; and his love, self-discipline, austerity and piety were unfeigned. He asked his friend (Guha) to give an account of the wanderings of Lakƒma˜a, Ýr¶ RŒma and S¶tŒ; while Guha narrated the same in soft accents. When he caught in a cage and would spend the whole night turning their back upon each other, likewise Bharata did not even care to look at the luxuries in the midst of which he was forced to remain overnight. He kept scrupulously aloof from them. saw the spots where Ýr¶ RŒma had rested and the trees under which he had halted the emotion within his breast could not be repressed. The gods who beheld his condition rained down flowers; the earth grew soft and the road became pleasant. (1—4)