In the absence of a king, the land falls into disarray. Traders find their endeavors thwarted, and those who delight in tales lose their joy, for pleasant stories no longer echo in the air. Maidens, adorned in their finery, no longer gather in gardens to play as evening falls, and men do not venture into forests with swift vehicles, accompanied by their beloveds. The wealthy, as well as those who live by farming or cattle-keeping, cannot sleep safely with their doors open, for fear pervades the night. Elephants, once adorned with bells and ornaments, cease to walk the royal roads in their old age, and the familiar sound of bowstrings and arrows in the training grounds is silenced. Merchants who would journey far, even those who have accumulated much merit, cannot travel the roads safely. Not even solitary ascetics walk freely, lost in contemplation, nor do sages return home at dusk with peace of mind. Without a king, security and welfare vanish, and armies cannot withstand enemies in battle. Men no longer assemble swiftly, adorned with splendid horses and chariots, and those skilled in the scriptures lose their prosperity, whether in forests or groves. Garlands, sweets, and offerings are not prepared by disciplined people for worship of the gods. Royal princes, once radiant with sandalwood, aloe, and perfumes, do not shine as they did, like trees in spring. A kingdom without a king is like rivers without water, forests without grass, and cows without herdsmen—bereft and barren. Just as a banner marks a chariot and smoke signals fire, so the king is the banner of the people, one who has attained divinity among mortals. Without a king, nothing belongs to anyone; like fish, men constantly devour one another. Even those who have broken boundaries, who are atheists or full of doubts, are brought to order when faced with the king’s punishment. The king is to the kingdom as sight is to the body—he is the source of truth and righteousness. He embodies truth and virtue, is the lineage of the noble, both mother and father, and the benefactor of all. Yama, Kubera, Indra, and mighty Varuna are surpassed by the noble king through his great conduct. Without a king, the world would be utter darkness, and nothing would be known, for it is the king who distinguishes good from bad. While the great king lives, all follow his command, just as the ocean remains within its bounds. Therefore, O best of twice-born, seeing our conduct, this kingdom is like a wilderness without a king; the generous prince, son of Ikshvaku, should be crowned by you as king here. Let the sixty-eighth chapter be heard in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā section. Upon hearing these words, Vasiṣṭha addressed the friends, ministers, and Brāhmaṇas gathered before him. He spoke of Bharata, who was living happily in his maternal uncle’s city, in the royal palace, together with his brother Śatrughna. Vasiṣṭha urged that swift messengers be dispatched immediately, with fast horses, to bring back the two heroic brothers, asking, “Why should we delay?” All present agreed: “Let them go.” Hearing their words, Vasiṣṭha summoned Siddhārtha, Vijaya, Jayanta, Aśoka, and Nandana, instructing them to listen carefully to his commands. He told them to travel swiftly to the city and royal palace with the fastest horses, leaving sorrow behind, and to deliver this message to Bharata on his behalf: “The chief priest and all the ministers send you their greetings. Depart at once with haste; an urgent matter awaits you.” He cautioned them not to reveal that Rāma had gone into exile or that his father had died, but only to inform Bharata of the summons to the house of the Raghus. Vasiṣṭha instructed them to take fine silk garments and splendid ornaments for the king and for Bharata, and to go quickly. After eating food suited for the journey, the messengers returned to their homes, preparing to depart for Kekaya by mounting their approved horses. They performed the departure rites and completed all remaining tasks, and, permitted by Vasiṣṭha, set out in haste. Traveling northward along the western bank of the long Aparaṭāla, they crossed the Mālinī river mid-way. After crossing the Gaṅgā at Hastināpura, they moved westward, reaching the land of Pañāla and passing through the Kurujāṅgala region. Along the way, they observed lakes and rivers full and pure, their minds fixed on their mission, and traveled swiftly. With great speed, they reached the clear, divine Śaradaṇḍā river, frequented by many kinds of birds and crowded with people. Arriving at the grove of Nikūla trees, a sacred place where wishes are fulfilled, they entered, paid their respects, and then proceeded into the city of Kuliṅga, carrying out their duty with devotion and urgency.