Part 4: Bharata’s march

Then on an auspicious day the King, after making propitious rites for the march, mounted an elephant, high as a mountain, for the march. Musical instruments for the march were played by thousands of men mounted on chariots, horses, and elephants, and on foot, resembling an army of other kings. At the sounds of the musical instruments of the march, all the soldiers came together, like concert-performers at the sounds of hand-clapping to keep time. Attended by kings, ministers, vassal-kings, generals, as if he had become several persons, the King left the city. Then the cakra-jewel, attended by one thousand Yakṣas, went ahead of the Lord of Bharata, like a general. Thick streams of dust soon spread afar, announcing the King’s march like enemy-spies. Then the native haunts of elephants seemed elephantless, because of his elephants numbering lacs that had set out. Because of his horses, chariots, mules, and camels starting out, all the rest of the world was without transportation, I think. To the people seeing his infantry, the world seemed made of men, just as it all seems made of water to those looking at the ocean.

“Bharatakṣetra was conquered by him, like one field. He attained the fourteen jewels, like a muni the pūrvas. The nine treasures were submissive to him like ministers. This being so, why and where has the King set out? If he goes by chance or to inspect his territories, why does the cakra, the cause of conquest of enemies, go in front?” “Judging from the direction, certainly he marches against Bāhubali.” “Alas! Passions, even in the case of great men, have unbroken influence. Now, he (Bāhubali) is said to be invincible even to gods and demons. Wishing to conquer him, he (Bharata) wishes to root up Meru with his finger. Whether he conquers his younger brother or is conquered by him, there will be a great loss of glory to the King in either case.” Such condemnatory speech from the people was made for a long time at every village, every city, every road, as the King advanced.

The King, following the path of the cakra day by day, arrived at the Bahalī-country, like the sun arriving at another sign of the zodiac, making the Vindhya Mountains appear to be increasing in size, making darkness appear to advance by the streams of dust rising on all sides; making the heavens resound by the noises of neighing, roaring, squeaking, and hand-clapping, as if by drums of the four divisions of the army; drying up the streams on the roads everywhere, like the sun of the hot season; felling the trees on the road like a violent wind; making the sky appear to be filled with cranes by the army-banners; sprinkling the earth, oppressed by the soldiers, with the ichor of the elephants, as it were. The King established a camp at the entrance of the country and stopped, observing a boundary, like the ocean within its boundary.