Having been instructed by Bharadwaja to bring the army to his place, Bharata allowed his army also to come to the hermitage. Then, Bharadwaja invokes Visvakarma, the divine architect and requests him to arrange for a befitting hospitality to Bharata,
Chapter [Sarga] 91 in Detail
krita buddhim nivaasaaya tathaiva sa munih tadaa |
bharatam kaikayii putram aatithyena nyamantrayat || 2-91-1
Seeing he had resolved to halt at that place for the night, the sage Bharadwaja prepared to offer Bharata the son of Kaikeyi the full honors due to a guest
abraviid bharatah tu enam nanu idam bhavataa kritam |
paadyam arghyam tathaa aatithyam vane yad uupapadyate || 2-91-2
Then, Bharata said to Bharadwaja as follows: "Have you not presented me with water to wash my hands and feet and offered me this hospitality fitting for a guest in this forest?"
atha uvaaca bharadvaajo bharatam prahasann iva |
jaane tvaam priiti samyuktam tushyeh tvam yena kenacit || 2-91-3
Then, Bharadwaja smilingly replied to Bharata as follows: "I know you possess a friendly disposition and you are pleased with whatever is offered to you."
senaayaah tu tava etasyaah kartum igccaami bhojanam |
mama pritir yathaa ruupaa tvam arho manuja rishabha || 2-91-4
"O, Bharata the excellent among men! I wish to offer food to your army. You ought to fulfill my satisfaction in every suitable way."
kim artham ca api nikshipya duure balam iha aagatah |
kasmaan na iha upayaato asi sabalah purusha rishabha || 2-91-5
"O, warrior! Why did you come here, leaving your army at a distance? Why did you not come to my place with your army?"
bharatah pratyuvaaca idam praanjalih tam tapo dhanam |
sasainyo na upayaato asmi bhagavan bhagavad bhayaat || 2-91-6
Bharata, with joined palms, replied to Bharadwaja who was rich with austerity in the following words: "O, venerable one! I have not come here with my army for the fear of displeasing you."
raajjnaa ca bhagavannityam raajaputrena vaa sadaa |
yatnatah parihartavyaa visayesu tapasvinah || 2-91-7
"O, Venerable One! Either the king or the prince should always keep away from the places occupied by ascetics"
vaaji mukhyaa manushyaah ca mattaah ca vara vaaranaah |
pragccaadya mahatiim bhuumim bhagavann anuyaanti maam || 2-91-8
"O, Holy one! Spirited horses, men and rare elephants in rut covering an immense area are accompanying me."
te vrikshaan udakam bhuumim aashrameshu utajaamh tathaa |
na himsyur iti tena aham eka eva aagatah tatah || 2-91-9
"Let them not damage the trees, huts and ground and defile the waters of hermitages' - in this thought, I came alone."
aaniiyataam itah senaa ity aajnaptah parama rishinaa |
tathaa tu cakre bharatah senaayaah samupaagamam || 2-91-10
Thereafter Bharata, having been commanded by that great sage to bring the army there, allowed the army's arrival to the hermitage.
agni shaalaam pravishya atha piitvaa apah parimrijya ca |
aatithyasya kriyaa hetor vishva karmaanam aahvayat || 2-91-11
Meanwhile, entering the fire-sanctuary (the place where the sacrificial fire is kept), sipping water and wiping the lips, Bharadwaja invoked Visvakarma (the architect of gods) in order to fulfill his duties towards the guests (as follows)
aahvaye vishva karmaanam aham tvashtaaram eva ca |
aatithyam kartum igccaami tatra me samvidhiiyataam || 2-91-12
"I wish to offer hospitality to the guest I summon vishvakarma who is also the divine carpenter. Let arrangements be made in that connection for me."
ahvaye lokapaalaam striin devaan shakramukhaamstathaa |
aatithyam kartumichchaami tatra me samvidhiiyataam || 2-91-13
"I further invoke the three gods (Yama, Varuna and Kubera) the guardians of the worlds with Indra as their king. I wish to offer hospitality to the guests. Let arrangements be made in this connection for me."
praak srotasah ca yaa nadyah pratyak srotasa eva ca |
prithivyaam antarikshe ca samaayaantu adya sarvashah || 2-91-14
"Let the rivers which flow towards the east and those which flow towards the west, across the earth and in the aerial region now come together here from all quarters."
anyaah sravantu maireyam suraam anyaah sunishthitaam |
aparaah ca udakam shiitam ikshu kaanda rasa upamam || 2-91-15
"Let some rivers flow with Maireya (a kind of wine made from date palms etc) some others flow with highly refined spirituous liquor and some others flow with cool water with a taste of sugarcane."
aahvaye deva gandharvaan vishvaa vasu hahaa huhuun |
tathaiva apsaraso deviir gandharviih ca api sarvashah || 2-91-16
"I invoke the celestials and celestial musicians Vishvavasu, Haha and Huhu as also Apsaras (nymphs) belonging to the celestial and celestial musicians' race from all regions.
ghritaaciim atha vishvaaciim mishra keshiim alambusaam |
naagadantaam ca hemaam cha himaamadrikritasthalaam || 2-91-17
"I invoke the celestial nymphs called Ghritachi, Vishvachi, Mishra Kesi, Alambusa, Nagadanta and Hema as also Hima who has an abode made in mountains."
shakram yaah ca upatishthanti brahmaanam yaah ca bhaaminiih |
sarvaah tumburunaa saardham aahvaye saparigccadaah || 2-91-18
"I invoke the fair women who are attending on Brahma the Lord of creation - all of them with their external appendages (like musical instruments) along with (their teacher) Tumburu."
vanam kurushu yad divyam vaaso bhuushana patravat |
divya naarii phalam shashvat tat kauberam iha eva tu || 2-91-19
"Let that beautiful garden in the region of northern Kuru, presided over by Kubera (the god of riches) always with its leaves which serve as raiment and ornaments, with its fruits in the form of heavenly damsels appear in this place."
iha me bhagavaan somo vidhattaam annam uttamam |
bhakshyam bhojyam ca coshyam ca lehyam ca vividham bahu || 2-91-20
"Many the blessed moon-god (the duty presiding over annual plants) furnish me at this place, excellent food of every variety, confections, sweets, sauces and syrups."
vicitraani ca maalyaani paadapa pracyutaani ca |
suraa aadiini ca peyaani maamsaani vividhaani ca || 2-91-21
"May the blessed moon-god furnish me many-colored flowers which have just fallen from the flower-plants or trees, the drinks like wine and others as also various kinds of meat."
evam samaadhinaa yuktah tejasaa apratimena ca |
shikshaa svara samaayuktam tapasaa ca abraviin munih || 2-91-22
That sage Bharadwaja, with his intense meditation, possessing unequal splendor and with austerity, spoke as follows, in tones befitting proper articulation and pronunciation of the scriptural texts:
manasaa dhyaayatah tasya praan mukhasya krita anjaleh |
aajagmuh taani sarvaani daivataani prithak prithak || 2-91-23
While that sage Bharadwaja, with joined palms, was meditating with absorption in the east, all those celestials came one by one.
malayam durduram caiva tatah sveda nudo anilah |
upasprishya vavau yuktyaa supriya aatmaa sukhah shivah || 2-91-24
Then, a pleasant comfortable and gracious breeze, passing over the mountains of Malaya and Dardura, began to blow, removing sweat by its influence.
tato abhyavartanta ghanaa divyaah kusuma vrishtayah |
deva dundubhi ghoshah ca dikshu sarvaasu shushruve || 2-91-25
Thereafter wonderful clouds let loose a rain of flowers, while the sound of divine gongs could be heard on every side.
pravavuh ca uttamaa vaataa nanrituh ca apsaro ganaah |
prajagur deva gandharvaa viinaa pramumucuh svaraan || 2-91-26
Troops of Apsaras (divine nymphs) danced to the melodious rustling of the wind. The celestials and the celestial musicians sang. Veena, stringed musical instruments transmitted their tunes.
sa shabdo dyaam ca bhuumim ca praaninaam shravanaani ca |
vivesha uccaaritah shlakshnah samo laya guna anvitah || 2-91-27
Sweat and harmonious sounds emitted smoothly, entered the sky earth and the ears of beings.
tasminn uparate shabde divye shrotra sukhe nrinaam |
dadarsha bhaaratam sainyam vidhaanam vishva karmanah || 2-91-28
When those celestial melodies ceased so pleasingly heard by the human ears, Bharata's army saw the wonderful creations of Visvakarma.
babhuuva hi samaa bhuumih samantaat panca yojanam |
shaadvalair bahubhih channaa niila vaiduurya samnibhaih || 2-91-29
A leveled land of approximately twenty miles on all sides became covered by many carpets of grass, dark as emerald.
tasmin bilvaah kapitthaah ca panasaa biija puurakaah |
aamalakyo babhuuvuh ca cuutaah ca phala bhuushanaah || 2-91-30
At that place, Bilva, Kapittha, Panasa, Citron Amalaki and Mango Trees laden with fruit appeared.
uttarebhyah kurubhyah ca vanam divya upabhogavat |
aajagaama nadii divyaa tiirajair bahubhir vritaa || 2-91-31
A forest of divine enjoyments from the territory of northern Kuru's along with a river shaped with various trees on its bank appeared there.
catuh shaalaani shubhraani shaalaah ca gaja vaajinaam |
harmya praasaada samghaataah toranaani shubhaani ca || 2-91-32
Splendid square mansions with stables for elephants and horses as well as resplendent gates with watch-towers flanked by turrets were seen.
sita megha nibham ca api raaja veshma sutoranam |
shukla maalya krita aakaaram divya gandha samukshitam || 2-91-33
catur asram asambaadham shayana aasana yaanavat |
divyaih sarva rasair yuktam divya bhojana vastravat || 2-91-34
upakalpita sarva annam dhauta nirmala bhaajanam |
klripta sarva aasanam shriimat svaastiirna shayana uttamam || 2-91-35
A royal palace emerged, dazzling as a cloud, pierced by splendid arches, hung with white garlands, filled with fragrance of celestial perfumes, forming a perfect quadrangle, spacious, furnished with couches seats and palanquins, supplied with ambrosial drinks of every kind as well as magnificent attire and food of every variety, well-prepared eatables of every description in cleaned vessels free from dirt and all kinds of seats arranged in order looked charming with superb couches duly covered with rich carpets.
pravivesha mahaa baahur anujnaato maharshinaa |
veshma tad ratna sampuurnam bharatah kaikayii sutah || 2-91-36
The mighty armed Bharata the son of Kaikeyi on invitation by the great sage, entered that palace filled with precious gems.
anujagmuh ca tam sarve mantrinah sapurohitaah |
babhuuvuh ca mudaa yuktaa tam drishtvaa veshma samvidhim || 2-91-37
All the ministers together with priests accompanied Bharata and on entering that excellent get-up of the house, were filled with delight
tatra raaja aasanam divyam vyajanam chatram eva ca |
bharato mantribhih saardham abhyavartata raajavat || 2-91-38
Bharata along with his ministers went clock-wise round the excellent royal throne, whisk and the royal umbrella kept there, as if they were utilized by a king.
aasanam puujayaam aasa raamaaya abhipranamya ca |
vaala vyajanam aadaaya nyashiidat saciva aasane || 2-91-39
They paid reverence to the royal seat, bowing before it, as if Rama sat thereon and thereafter Bharata, taking hold of the whisk, sat down on the seat meant for the chief minister.
aanupuurvyaan nisheduh ca sarve mantra purohitaah |
tatah senaa patih pashcaat prashaastaa ca nishedatuh || 2-91-40
All the ministers and priests sat down in order of precedence. Thereafter, the chief of the army and at last the officer-in-charge of the encampment occupied their seats.
tatah tatra muhuurtena nadyah paayasa kardamaah |
upaatishthanta bharatam bharadvaajasya shaasanat || 2-91-41
Then, on an instant, by the orders of Bharadwaja, streams having milk thickened with rice in the place of mud, flowed towards Bharata.
taasaam ubhayatah kuulam paandu mrittika lepanaah |
ramyaah ca aavasathaa divyaa brahmanah tu prasaadajaah || 2-91-42
On both the banks of those streams, enchanting and celestial houses plastered with white clay born out of the grace of Brahma the Lord of creation, appeared.
tena eva ca muhuurtena divya aabharana bhuushitaah |
aagur vimshati saahasraah braahmanaa prahitaah striyah || 2-91-43
At that moment itself, twenty thousand women adorned with beautiful ornaments, sent by Brahma, arrived.
suvarna mani muktena pravaalena ca shobhitaah |
aagur vimshati saahasraah kubera prahitaah striyah || 2-91-44
Twenty thousand more women, who were radiant and adorned with gold, gems, pearls and corals came from the region of Kubera.
yaabhir grihiitah purushah sa unmaada iva lakshyate |
aagur vimshati saahasraa nandanaad apsaro ganaah || 2-91-45
A particular company of Apsaras, embraced by whom, a man looked as though seized with insanity, came from Nandana grove.
naaradah tumburur gopah parvatah suurya varcasah |
ete gandharva raajaano bharatasya agrato jaguh || 2-91-46
Those most excellent kings among celestial musicians - Narada, Tumbura and Gopa whose radiance is like that of the sun, began to sing in front of Bharata.
alambusaa mishra keshii pundariikaa atha vaamanaa |
upaanrityamh tu bharatam bharadvaajasya shaasanaat || 2-91-47
Then, on the command of Bharadwaja, Alambusa, MishraKesi and Vamana started dancing in the presence of Bharata.
yaani maalyaani deveshu yaani caitrarathe vane |
prayaage taany adrishyanta bharadvaajasya shaasanaat || 2-91-48
By the command of Bharadwaja, wreaths of flowers which were beloved of the gods or those which grow in the woods of Chaitra Ratha were seen at Prayaga.
bilvaa maardangikaa aasan shamyaa graahaa bibhiitakaah |
ashvatthaa nartakaah ca aasan bharadvaajasya tejasaa || 2-91-49
By the command of Bharadwaja, Bel trees assumed the form of drummers, Vibhitaka trees assumed the form of cymbalists and Peepul trees assumed the form of dancers.
tatah sarala taalaah ca tilakaa nakta maalakaah |
prahrishtaah tatra sampetuh kubjaa bhuutaa atha vaamanaah || 2-91-50
Then, Dcodars Palmyra’s and Tilaka trees along with Tamala trees transformed into hunch backs and dwarfs and joyfully arrived there.
shimshapaa aamalakii jambuur yaah ca anyaah kaanane lataah |
maalatii mallikaa jaatiryaashcaanyaah kaanane lataah || 2-91-51
pramadaa vigraham kritvaa bharadvaaja aashrame avasan |
Shimshapas (Ashoka trees), Amalakis (Emblic myrobalan), Jambus (rose-apple trees), Malati, Mallika Jati and other creepers in the forest had been changed into dancing girls in the hermitage of Bharadwaja and they spoke as follows:
suraam suraapaah pibata paayasam ca bubhukshitaah || 2-91-52
maamsani ca sumedhyaani bhakshyantaam yaavad igccatha || 2-91-53
"O, wine-bibbers! Drink the wine, however much you desire! O troops stricken with hunger! Let milk thickened with rice and the meats which are very much fresh, be eaten (as you will)"
utsaadya snaapayanti sma nadii tiireshu valgushu |
apy ekam ekam purusham pramadaah satpa ca ashta ca || 2-91-54
Seven or eight young women bathed every single man on the beautiful river-banks, after massaging their body with oil.
samvahantyah samaapetur naaryo rucira locanaah |
parimrijya tathaa nyaayam paayayanti vara anganaah || 2-91-55
Women with charming eyes came running and shampooed their limbs. Lovely women likewise wiped off the moisture on their body with towels and gave them beverages to drink, mutually sharing them among each other.
hayaan gajaan kharaan ushtraamh tathaiva surabheh sutaan |
abhojayan vaahanapaastesaam bhojyam yathaavidhi || 2-91-56
The keepers of animals fed horses, elephants, donkeys, camels and bullocks (the offspring of Surabhi the divine cow) with their suitable feed.
ikshuumh ca madhu jaalaamh ca bhojayanti sma vaahanaan |
ikshvaaku vara yodhaanaam codayanto mahaa balaah || 2-91-57
The animals, belonging to the exceedingly strong and illustrious warriors, the descendents of Ikshvaku, were fed with pieces of sugarcane and roasted grain soaked in honey, duly cajoling them to eat.
na ashva bandho ashvam aajaanaan na gajam kunjara grahah |
matta pramatta muditaa camuuh saa tatra sambabhau || 2-91-58
The groom did not recognize his horse. The elephant-keeper did not recognize his elephant. That army there appeared intoxicated, maddened and enraptured on that spot.
tarpitaa sarva kaamaih te rakta candana ruushitaah |
apsaro gana samyuktaah sainyaa vaacam udairayan || 2-91-59
With all their desires gratified, their bodies anointed with red-sandal paste, and surrounded by a company of Apsaras, those soldiers uttered the following words.
na eva ayodhyaam gamishyaamo na gamishyaama dandakaan |
kushalam bharatasya astu raamasya astu tathaa sukham || 2-91-60
"We shall not go either to Ayodhya or to Dandaka forest. Let Bharata be well! Likewise, let Rama too be at east!"
iti paadaata yodhaah ca hasty ashva aaroha bandhakaah |
anaathaah tam vidhim labdhvaa vaacam etaam udairayan || 2-91-61
Having obtained that hospitality, the infantry, the cavalry as well as those mounted on elephants and their keepers too, no longer acknowledging their leaders, spoke the following words:
samprahrishtaa vineduh te naraah tatra sahasrashah |
bharatasya anuyaataarah svarge ayam iti ca abruvan || 2-91-62
In the height of joy, those men in thousands there, the retinue of Bharata cried out, "This is verily of heaven!"
nrityanti sma hasantisma gaayanti sma cha sainikaah |
samantaat paridhaavanti maalyo petaah sahasrashah || 2-91-63
The soldiers in thousands, wreathed in flowers danced, laughed, sang and ran hither and thither.
tato bhuktavataam teshaam tad annam amrita upamam |
divyaan udviikshya bhakshyaamh taan abhavad bhakshane matih || 2-91-64
To those soldiers who had partaken that food which was as sweet as ambrosia, when they saw again those fresh dishes, there arose in them a desire to eat them again.
preshyaah cetyah ca vadhvah ca balasthaah ca api sarvashah |
babhuuvuh te bhrisham triptaah sarve ca aahata vaasasah || 2-91-65
Thousands of servants, slaves, youthful women and those in the army on every side, clad in new raiment, became very much contented.
kunjaraah ca khara ushtrah ca go ashvaah ca mriga pakshinah |
babhuuvuh subhritaah tatra na anyo hy anyam akalpayat || 2-91-66
Elephants, donkeys, camels, bullocks, horses, animals and birds there were suitably well-fed. Hence, one did not afflict the other.
na ashukla vaasaah tatra aasiit kshudhito malino api vaa |
rajasaa dhvasta kesho vaa narah kashcid adrishyata || 2-91-67
There was no one seen in soiled attire or hungry or unkempt [not combed] or with hair powdered with dust.
aajaih ca api ca vaaraahair nishtaana vara samcayaih |
phala niryuuha samsiddhaih suupair gandha rasa anvitaih || 2-91-68
pushpa dhvajavatiih puurnaah shuklasya annasya ca abhitah |
dadrishur vismitaah tatra naraa lauhiih sahasrashah || 2-91-69
Dishes of goat and boar with delicious sauces were there and condiments that were spicy, fragrant and succulent, cooked in fruit juices; vessels of rare metals filled with rice, decorated with flowers, were offered in thousands to those soldiers there. The soldiers saw them with wonder on all sides.
babhuuvur vana paarshveshu kuupaah paayasa kardamaah |
taah ca kaamadughaa gaavo drumaah ca aasan madhushcyutah || 2-91-70
The wells in various sides of the forest (surrounding Bharadwaja's hermitage) have their mud transformed into milk in which rice was cooked. The cows in the region were transformed into cows of plenty and the trees dripped honey.
vaapyo maireya puurnaah ca mrishta maamsa cayair vritaah |
pratapta pitharaih ca api maarga maayuura kaukkutaih || 2-91-71
Some ponds there were endowed with full of wine and some were filled with assortment of various dressed meats pertaining to deer, peacocks and wild cocks; cooked in hot pans.
paatriinaam ca sahasraani shaata kumbhamayaani ca |
sthaalyah kumbhyah karambhyah ca dadhi puurnaah susamskritaah || 2-91-72
yauvanasthasya gaurasya kapitthasya sugandhinah |
There were thousands of portable furnaces, lakhs of culinary utensils ten crores of golden vessels, well-cleaned bowls filled with curds, small water-jars and wide-mouthed dishes.
hradaah puurnaa rasaalasya dadhnah shvetasya ca apare |
babhuuvuh paayasasya ante sharkaraayaah ca samcayaah || 2-91-73
kalkaamh cuurna kashaayaamh ca snaanaani vividhaani ca |
dadrishur bhaajanasthaani tiirtheshu saritaam naraah || 2-91-74
Lakes full of fresh curds, shining fragrant and in the color of a wood-apple, curds mixed with sugar and spices, some other lakes filled with shite curds, some others filled with milk soaked in rice as well as sugar and some other lakes with a mixture of barley and sugar were formed.
kalkaan cuurnakasaayaamshca snaanaani vividhaani ca |
dadrishurbhaajanasthaani tiirthesu saritaam naraah || 2-91-75
Those soldiers saw jellies, powders and syrups made of fruits and various kinds of accessories used in bathing, kept stored in vessels, on the banks of rivers.
shuklaan amshumatah ca api danta dhaavana samcayaan |
shuklaamh candana kalkaamh ca samudgeshu avatishthatah || 2-91-76
darpanaan parimrishtaamh ca vaasasaam ca api samcayaan |
paaduka upaanahaam caiva yugmaan yatra sahasrashah ||2-91-77
aanjaniih kankataan kuurcaamh chatraani ca dhanuumshi ca |
marma traanaani citraani shayanaany aasanaani ca || 2-91-78
pratipaana hradaan puurnaan khara ushtra gaja vaajinaam |
avagaahya sutiirthaamh ca hradaan sa utpala pushkaraan || 2-91-79
niila vaiduurya varnaamh ca mriduun yavasa samcayaan |
nirvaapa artham pashuunaam te dadrishuh tatra sarvashah || 2-91-80
Those soldiers saw there heaps of twigs used for cleaning the teeth with white brushes at their tips, white sandal pastes stored in caskets, polished mirrors, piles of clothes, thousands of pairs of shoes and sandals, caskets containing collyrium [eyewash] for the eyes; combs, brushed, raiments [clothing], bows, protectors of vitals, strange couches and seats, drinking ponds for donkeys camels elephants and horses, lakes with good stairs for descent having water-lilies and lotuses with sky-blue color, with clear water offering a comfortable bath and soft grasses having a color of Nipa tree and of cat's eye gems useful for feeding animals.
vyasmayanta manusyaste svapnakalpham tadadbhutam |
dristvaa.atithyam kritam taadrigbharatasya mahaarsinaa 2-91-81
Seeing such a wonderful and dreamlike hospitality offered by the great sage Bharadwaja, all those men were surprised.
ity evam ramamaanaanaam devaanaam iva nandane |
bharadvaaja aashrame ramye saa raatrir vyatyavartata || 2-91-82
While they were enjoying thus in that charming hermitage of Bharadwaja, in the same manner as celestials enjoy the garden of Nandana, that night had elapsed.
pratijagmuh ca taa nadyo gandharvaah ca yathaa aagatam |
bharadvaajam anujnaapya taah ca sarvaa vara anganaah || 2-91-83
Having been permitted by Bharadwaja, those rivers, the celestial musicians and all those beautiful women went back by the same way they came.
tathaiva mattaa madira utkataa naraah |
tathaiva divya aguru candana ukshitaah |
tathaiva divyaa vividhaah srag uttamaah |
prithak prakiirnaa manujaih pramarditaah || 2-91-84
The soldiers, intoxicated with spirituous liquor, were likewise excited with joy. Likewise, the men were drenched in charming aloes and sandal paste. Various kinds of excellent and charming garlands were there, crushed and garlands were there, crushed and scattered at distances, likewise.
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye ayodhyaakaande ekanavatitamah sargah
Thus completes 91st Chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate