Bowing his head at the feet of Ýr¶ RŒma’s mother (KausalyŒ) and his preceptor (the sage Vasiƒ¢ha) and receiving the permission of the Lord’s sandals, Bharata, a staunch upholder of righteousness, erected a hut of leaves at NandigrŒma and took up his abode there. Wearing a tuft of a matted locks on his head and clad in hermit’s robes, he dug the earth low and spread thereon a litter of KuÜa grass. In food, dress, utensils, sacred observances and austerities he devoutly practised the rigid vow of hermits and professedly discarded, in thought, word and deed, all adornments of body, wearing apparel and the many pleasures of the sense. The sovereignty of AyodhyŒ was the envy even of Indra (the lord of celestials), while the very report of the riches possessed by DaÜaratha put to shame even Kubera (the god of riches); yet in that city Bharata dwelt as indifferent as a bee in a garden of Campaka* flowers. The blessed souls who are devoted to Ýr¶ RŒma renounce like vomit the splendour of Lakƒm¶ (the wealth and enjoyments of the world). (1—4)