Uttara Kanda, Sarga 102

Meaning

After some time, the King of Kekaya, Yudhājit, sent his preceptor, Brāhmaṇa Gārgya, the son of Aṅgirā, possessed of inimitable lustre to Śrī Rāma, the noble descendant of Raghu. The King presented a §gift of ten thousand horses as a token of affection and also blankets and precious gems, and garments of various kinds and brilliant ornaments. (1—3)

Meaning

Having heard that the great sage Gārgya had come, bringing with him the rich gifts sent by the maternal uncle, Aśvapati, Śrī Rama, alongwith his brothers, welcomed Gārgya at a distance of two miles in advance, and honoured Gārgya as Indra honours Bṛhaspati. (4-5)

Meaning

Thus having honoured that sage and accepting the gifts, he enquired of the welfare of his maternal uncle. Śrī Rāma asked the holy one when he had seated himself thus: ‘What has my maternal uncle said for which O Venerable Sir, best among the knowers of Śāstras, like Bṛhaspti himself, you have come.’ Having heard the words of Śrī Rāma, the great sage began to speak in detail the wondrous purpose to the descendant of Raghu: ‘O one of long arms, bull among men, your maternal uncle Yudhājit has said pleasingly, listen if it appeals to you. The territory of the Gandharvas, rich with fruits and roots, is a region most beautiful on both sides of the Sindhu river, that is protected by the Gandharvas, the experts in war, possessed of arms, the powerful three million sons of Śailūṣa, O brave one. Having conquered them, O scion of Kakutstha, merge the holy city of the Gandharvas in your own kingdom, which no one else can do. May it please you to occupy it, O one of long arms; I do not say this against your interests.’ (6—13)

Meaning

Having heard this, Śrī Rāma the descendant of Raghu, being pleased with what the sage and his maternal uncle said: ‘So shall it be’ and looked at Bharata. (14)

Meaning

That descendant of Raghu was pleased and with folded hands courteously said: ‘O Ṛṣi among Brāhmaṇas, these two brave sons (of Bharata) Takṣa and Puṣkala will go to that region, well-protected by my maternal uncle and observing religious norms. (15-16)

Meaning

‘Keeping Bharata ahead, the two sons together with their army and attendants, will divide the two regions having killed the sons of the Gandharva, Śailūṣa. (17)

Meaning

‘Establishing those two cities and foresetting his two sons there, this most pious one, Bharata, will again return to me.’ (18)

Meaning

Thus having spoken to the Brāhmaṇas, he (Rāma) ordered Bharata to proceed with his army and attendants, and also consecrated the two sons on an auspicious day with the holy star, putting the son of Aṅgirā at their head, Bharata with his army and his sons proceeded. (19-20)

Meaning

Then that army went out of the royal city Ayodhyā like the army of Indra, followed by the descendant of Raghu for a long distance—the army that was difficult to conquer even by the gods. (21)

Meaning

The flesh-eaters and the mighty Rākṣasas followed Bharata out of thirst for blood. (22)

Meaning

Hosts of Bhūtas (demons), eaters of flesh, the terrible ones, desirous of devouring the flesh of the sons of the Gandharva, followed in thousands. (23)

Meaning

Lions, tigers, bears and the sky-roving birds, thousands in number went to herald the army. (24)

Meaning

Having spent one and half months on the way, the army, hale and hearty, bearing happy and well-fed men, reached Kekaya territory. (25)