But Bharat, seeing him about to prostrate himself, took him to his bosom with as much uncontrollable rapture as though it were Lakshman he had met.
Bharat received him with the very greatest affection, and the people extolled the manner of his love. There was a jubilant cry of “Glory, Glory,” as the gods applauded and rained down flowers upon him. “Though this man is in every way vile, both by custom of the world and by scriptural prescription, so that contact with his shadow requires ablution, yet Rama’s brother has embraced him in his arms and thrilled all over with delight at meeting him. One who cries ‘Rama, Rama’ even in a yawn, a multitude of sins will not rise up against him. Here is one whom Rama had clasped to his bosom and thereby purified him and all his family. If water of the Karmanasa falls into the Ganges, tell me who will refuse to reverence it? Again, it is known throughout the world that Valmiki was made equal to Brahma simply for repeating Rama’s name backwards.
Bharat received him with the very greatest affection, and the people extolled the manner of his love. There was a jubilant cry of “Glory, Glory,” as the gods applauded and rained down flowers upon him. “Though this man is in every way vile, both by custom of the world and by scriptural prescription, so that contact with his shadow requires ablution, yet Rama’s brother has embraced him in his arms and thrilled all over with delight at meeting him. One who cries ‘Rama, Rama’ even in a yawn, a multitude of sins will not rise up against him. Here is one whom Rama had clasped to his bosom and thereby purified him and all his family. If water of the Karmanasa falls into the Ganges, tell me who will refuse to reverence it? Again, it is known throughout the world that Valmiki was made equal to Brahma simply for repeating Rama’s name backwards.