Messengers sent to fetch Bharatha
As was requested by Markandeya, Sumanthara and other Brahmins Sage Vasishta “Bharatha along with his brother Shatrugna is living in his maternal uncle’s house in the city of Rajagriha. Messengers should go in the fast moving horses and go get them immediately. When Emperor himself has asked Bharatha to be given the Kingdom why should we delay it?” sage said.Ministers also ‘ Let the messengers go forthwith’. Vasishta said ‘ Sidhartha ! Vijaya !Jayantha !Ashokavardhana !please come here. Please Listen carefully. Let me tell your assignment clearly. Please listen attentively. Please go in the Horses which go very fast to the city of Rajhagriha immediately. You need not exhibit the symptoms of the Demise of Dasaratha in your emotions.You pay your respects to Bharatha and Shathrugna and to Bharatha ‘ Lord! Your Preist Sage Vasishta and all Ministers enquired your welfare. Due to some important matter they wanted you to start immediately and come with us .’ you should say thus to him. You need not tell about Rama Lakshmana Sita going to Forest nor the Demise of King Dasaratha. Please take compliments of Good Dresses and ornaments for the King of Kaiykeya and start immediately“ thus commanded and gave them adequate materials and money for the journey.and sent them.
They went to their respective houses and informed them and took leave, organized the materials as was advised and left on Horses which travel in the speed of Air and started. First they travelled west , went in between the two mountins Aparathalam & Pralamba , turned northerly and and travelled in the banks of Malini River . Afterwards on the north of Pralamba Hill turned towards North west . They crossed Ganga near Hasthinapur(Delhi), through Kurujhaangla country went to Panchala country. From there they crossed many unique Lakes and full flowing Rivers west wards. On the way they crossed beautiful Saradanda river and on it’s west bank was a beautiful Bodhi tree called Sathyojhatham , the went around the tree and doing Namaskarams paying respects, reached Kulinga city. They crossed Bodhibhavanam forest and reached village called Abikalam , saw Ikshumathi River which is specail to the Ikshwaku Dynasty for a long time. There they saw Brahmins who are experts in Vedas and who just have 2 handfull of water as their food for the day and do penance. From there via Bahlleeka country and went towards the mountain knownas Sudhama. There they saw the footteps of Maha Vishnu and prayed and crossed Vibhasar , Chaalmali rivers and numerous Lakes, ponds, streams and many Lion, Tiger, Bears and other animals and as per their directive of their master. They thought “ Bharatha should be brought earliest, then only the funeral rites of Dasaratha can be performed; thus he will attain salvation; if we quickly take Bharatha and coronate him as the King ,thus he will become the master for all. Bharatha will be happy for being able to do obsequies of his father and get Fame.” For these reasons they hurried up their journey and travelled with care and at the time of Sun set entered the city of Girvrajha. (Slokas 22).
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