With his army dispirited and diminished, vulnerable and unprotected, Bharata reflected that even enemies would not desire such a kingdom—just as no one would crave food laced with poison. Resolute in his duty and love for his brother, he declared, “From this day forth, I too will sleep on the bare ground or on grass, live only on fruits and roots, and wear matted locks and bark garments. For Rāma’s sake, I will dwell contentedly in the forest for the remainder of his exile, holding firmly to this vow, which shall not be broken. “As for Śatrughna, he will not remain with me for the sake of his brother; instead, he will stay with Lakṣmaṇa and help protect Ayodhyā. The twice-born Brāhmaṇas will anoint the descendant of Kakutstha as king in Ayodhyā. May the gods grant that this heartfelt wish of mine be fulfilled—I bow my head in supplication that it may be so, if Rāma does not return in many ways. Until then, I will remain here for as long as necessary, longing for Rāghava, who dwells in the forest, unable to abandon him.” After spending the night on the banks of the Ganges, Rāghava—Bharata—rose early and spoke to Śatrughna: “Śatrughna, rise! Why do you still lie down? Bring Guha, king of the Niṣādas, quickly. He will help us ferry the army safely across the river.” Śatrughna replied, “I am not sleeping; I am awake, thinking only of our noble brother.” As the two lion-like brothers conversed, Guha approached at the proper time, hands joined in reverence, and addressed Bharata, “Kākutstha, did you spend the night comfortably on the riverbank? Is all well with you and your entire army?” Hearing Guha’s affectionate words, Bharata, ever obedient to Rāma, replied, “O king, our night was comfortable, and we were honored by your hospitality. Now, let your boatmen assemble many boats to ferry us across the Ganges.” Guha, hearing Bharata’s command, hurried back to the city and called out to his kinsmen, “Rise up, awaken, may you always be blessed! Gather the boats; we must ferry the army across the river.” At his command, they quickly assembled, collecting five hundred boats from all directions. Some were marked with the auspicious svastika, adorned with great bells and splendid flags, fitted with sails, and sturdily built. Guha then brought a boat marked with the svastika, covered with pale blankets and resounding with auspicious drums—a beautiful vessel for Bharata and mighty Śatrughna to board. Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the other royal women followed, led by the chief priest, along with the elders, Brāhmaṇas, the royal wives, carts, and shops. As they lit fires for their camps and began the river crossing, the bustling clamor of those carrying their goods rose up to the heavens. The boats, decked with flags and manned by skilled boatmen, swiftly carried the people across. Some boats were filled with women, others with horses, and some bore great wealth and vehicles. Once the people had crossed and disembarked, the boatmen and their kin made various arrangements with bamboo poles. The elephants, adorned with victory banners and urged on by their riders, crossed the river and shone like mountains with flags. Some crossed in boats, others on rafts, some using water jars, and others by swimming with their arms. Thus, the virtuous army crossed the Ganga by many means and, at an auspicious hour, proceeded toward the excellent forest of Prayaga. After comforting the troops and settling them suitably, the great-souled Bharata, accompanied by priests, set out to see the eminent sage Bharadvaja. Approaching the hermitage of the great Brahmin, the priest of the gods, Bharata beheld the beautiful grove of huts and trees in the splendid forest belonging to the distinguished sage. Thus ends the eighty-ninth chapter of the glorious Ayodhya Book in the sacred, original poem, the Ramayana of Valmiki. Seeing Bharadvaja’s hermitage from a distance, Bharata, the foremost among men, stationed all the troops and went forward with his ministers. Knowing righteousness, he went on foot, having set aside his weapons and armor, dressed in fine garments, with the chief priest leading the way. For his audience with Bharadvaja, Raghava placed his ministers in position and followed behind the chief priest. As soon as the great ascetic Bharadvaja saw Vasistha, he quickly rose from his seat and instructed his disciples to bring offerings. In the company of Vasistha, Bharadvaja greeted them with offerings and water for washing their feet, then presented fruits in proper order, and inquired about the well-being of their family. Knowing the conduct of King Dasharatha, he asked after the army, treasury, friends, and ministers in Ayodhyā, but did not mention the king himself. Vasistha and Bharata then inquired about the sage’s health, his sacred fires, the trees, his disciples, and the wild animals and birds of the forest. Having exchanged greetings, the great ascetic Bharadvaja replied to Bharata, bound by his affection for Rāghava, “What purpose brings you here, while you govern the kingdom? Tell me everything, for my mind is not at ease. Kausalyā gave birth to the destroyer of enemies, the bringer of joy, who, together with his brother and wife, has long been exiled to the forest.