‘The Solar race has produced many a king, each far greater than the others. All owe their birth to their parents, but it is God who dispenses the fruit of their good and evil deeds.

But it is your benediction, as all the world knows, that wipes out sorrow and confers all blessings. It is you, holy father, who have thwarted the course of Providence; who, then, can abrogate a decision you have made?

And yet now you ask advice of me: such is my ill luck.’ When the guru heard this affectionate speech, he was enraptured.

‘My son’, he replied, ‘your words are true, but it is all due to Rama’s grace. He who is hostile to Rama can never dream of success. There is one way, my son, though I hesitate to propose it; the wise for go the half when they see the whole in jeopardy.

You two brothers (Shatrughna and yourself) go into exile, and let Lakshmana, Sita and Rama be sent back.’ On hearing these welcome words, the two brothers rejoiced and their whole body thrilled with joy.

They were as pleased at heart and as radiant all over as though king Dasharath were alive again and Rama already enthroned. The people gained much and sacrificed but little; but the queen-mothers all wept, for their sorrow was equal to their joy. (They wept because they would recover two of their sons and would lose the other two).

‘By doing the sage’s bidding,’ Bharata observed, ‘one would reap the reward of giving the world what it most desires. I will stay all my life in the forest; there is no happiness I should like better.