Mackenzie, Donald Alexander: Indian myth and legend: with illustrations by Warwick Goble and numerous monochrome plates (London, 1913)

THE RAPE OF SITA 397

have embraced and kissed me on my return. But
where is Rama, who is now as a sire unto me?"

Then Kaikeyi told him all that had taken place, and
said: "For thy sake, my son, I have accomplished this.
Sorrow not, because thou wilt be installed as ruler here."

Said Bharata: " I have lost my father and my elder
brother. Of what good is a kingdom unto me now ?
O evil-hearted woman, thou hast bereft this- house of all
joy; thou hast slain my sire and banished Rama. . . .
But I will bring my brother back from the jungle; he
shall be seated on the throne."

Satrughna sorrowed like Bharata, and when he be-
held the wicked hunchback Manthara he threw her down
and dragged her across the floor, saying: "This hateful
creature is the cause of our calamities. I will slay
her."

Kaikeyi flew away in terror, and Bharata said: " Slay
her not, because she is a woman. 1 would have killed
my wicked mother, but, had I done so, Rama would
ne'er have forgiven me nor have spoken to me again.
Spare this wretch, O Satrughna, lest Rama should be
angry with thee."

Kausalya, mother of Rama, then approached Bharata
and said: "The raj is now thine, O ambitious one. Thy
mother hath secured it for thee."

Bharata fell at her feet and vowed that he would
never sit on the throne, but would hasten after Rama
to entreat him to return.

Then Kausalya wept and embraced him because that
he was loyal to his elder brother.

When Bharata had performed the funeral rites for
the Maharajah, he left Ayodhya with a strong army to
search for Rama.

The two brothers met in the jungle of Chitra-kuta,