be brought before her, addressed him in these words, “Dasaratha hath gone to heaven and both Rama and Lakshmana are in the forest!  Take thou this kingdom which is so extensive and whose peace there is no rival to disturb.”  Thereupon the virtuous Bharata replied unto her saying, “Thou hast done a wicked deed, having slain thy husband and exterminated this family from lust of wealth alone!  Heaping infamy on my head, O accursed woman of our race, thou hast, O mother, attained this, thy object!” And having said these words, the prince wept aloud.  And having proved his innocence before all the subjects of that realm he set out in the wake of Rama, desiring to bring him back.  And placing Kausalya and Sumitra and Kaikeyi in the vehicles at the van of his train, he proceeded with a heavy heart, in company with Satrughna.  And he was accompanied by Vasishtha and Vamadeva, and other Brahmanas by thousands and by the people of the cities and the provinces, desiring to bring back Rama.  And he saw Rama with Lakshmana, living on the mountains of Chitrakuta with bow in hand and decked with the ornaments of ascetics.  Bharata, however, was dismissed by Rama, who was determined to act according to the words of his father.  And returning, Bharata ruled at Nandigrama, keeping before him, his brother’s wooden sandals.  And Rama fearing a repetition of intrusion by the people of Ayodhya, entered into the great forest towards the asylum of Sarabhanga.  And having paid his respects to Sarabhanga, he entered the forest of Dandaka and took up his abode on the banks of beautiful river Godavari.  And while living there, Rama was inveigled into hostilities with Khara, then dwelling in Janasthana, on account of Surpanakha.  And for the protection of the ascetics the virtuous scion of Raghu’s race slew fourteen thousand Rakshasas on earth, and having slain those mighty Rakshasas, Khara and Dushana, the wise descendant of Raghu once more made that sacred forest free from danger.

“’And after these Rakshasas had been slain, Surpanakha with mutilated nose and lips, repaired to Lanka—­the abode of her brother (Ravana).  And when that Rakshasa woman, senseless with grief and with dry blood-stains on her face, appeared before Ravana, she fell down at his feet.  And beholding her so horribly mutilated, Ravana became senseless with wrath and grinding his teeth sprung up from his seat.  And dismissing his ministers, he enquired of her in private, saying, “Blessed sister, who hath made thee so, forgetting and disregarding me?  Who is he that having got a sharp-pointed spear hath rubbed his body with it?  Who is he that sleepeth in happiness and security, after placing a fire close to his head?  Who is he that hath trodden upon a revengeful snake of virulent poison?  Who indeed, is that person who standeth with his hand thrust into the mouth of the maned lion!” Then flames of wrath burst forth from his body, like those that are emitted at night from the hollows of a tree on fire.