Part 14: Bharata’s march through Khaṇḍapapātā

After informing Jāhnavī and taking leave of her with difficulty, he went toward Khaṇḍaprapātā with a strong force. Then the King with undivided forces went from his abode to the cave, named Khaṇḍaprapātā, like a lion from forest to forest. At a distance from the cave Khaṇḍaprapātā, very powerful because of his army, he encamped his army. There the King fasted for four days, concentrating his mind on the deity Nāṭyamāla; and the deity’s throne shook. Knowing by clairvoyant knowledge that the Cakrin Bharata had come there, he came with presents, like a debtor to a creditor. The deity, very devoted to the ornament of the six-part country, brought ornaments and undertook service. Then the King, possessing discernment, graciously dismissed the deity Nāṭyamāla like an actor who has finished his play. The King broke his fast, held an eight-day festival in his honor, and instructed Suṣeṇa, “Open Khaṇḍaprapātā.” The general concentrated his mind on Nāṭyamāla as if he were a charm, fasted for four days, and observed the pauṣadha-ceremony in the pauṣadha-house. After leaving the pauṣadha-house at the end of the four days’ fast, he performed the oblation-ceremony, like the best of ācāryas at a dedication.

Then after making the propitiatory rite of the tilaka and auspicious things, wearing a few ornaments of great value, he burned incense. He went to Khaṇḍaprapātā, bowed as soon as he saw it, worshipped it, and drew the eight auspicious things on its door. Advancing for seven steps, he took up the staff-jewel like a golden key for opening the door. The double-door opened as soon as they were struck by the staff like a lotus-bud touched by the sun’s rays. Mounted on the elephant’s shoulder, and setting the gem-jewel properly the right frontal protuberance, the King entered the cave. Followed by his army, Bharata advanced, drawing circles to destroy darkness as before. The King arrived at the rivers Unmagnā and Nimagnā, flowing from the west wall of the cave through the east wall and joining the Jāhnavī just like two friends joining a friend, and as before crossed at once with the army by a path. The south door of the cave at once opened by itself, impelled by Mt. Vaitāḍhya, as if pained by the arrow of the army. The King left the interior of the cave like a lion, and put his camp on the west bank of the Gaṅgā.