While proceeding, Rama ordered his
servants on the way, saying, 'Bring all things that are necessary for a
pilgrimage, that is, every article of use! Bring the (sacred) fire that
is at Dwaraka, and our priests. Bring gold, silver, kine, robes, steeds,
elephants, cars, mules, camels, and other draft cattle! Bring all these
necessaries for a trip to the sacred waters, and proceed with great speed
towards the Sarasvati! Bring also some priests to be especially employed,
and hundreds of foremost of Brahmanas!' Having given these orders to the
servants, the mighty Valadeva set out on a pilgrimage at that time of
great calamity to the Kurus. Setting out towards the Sarasvati, he
visited all the sacred places along her course, accompanied by priests,
friends, and many foremost of Brahmanas, as also with cars and elephants
and steeds and servants, O bull of Bharata's race, and with many vehicles
drawn by kine and mules and camels. Diverse kinds of necessaries of life
were given away in large measure and in diverse countries unto the weary
and worn, children and the old, in response, O king, to solicitations.
Everywhere, O king, Brahmanas were promptly gratified with whatever
viands they desired. At the command of Rohini's son, men at different
stages of the journey stored food and drink in large quantities. Costly
garments and bedsteads and coverlets were given for the gratification of
Brahmanas, desirous of ease and comfort. Whatever Brahmana or Kshatriya
solicited whatever thing, that O Bharata, it was seen to be ungrudgingly
given to him.
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