In the absence of a king, the land falls into disarray. Those learned in the sacred scriptures find no prosperity, whether they dwell in forests or groves. Without a ruler, disciplined people no longer prepare garlands, sweets, or offerings to honor the gods. Royal princes lose their luster; adorned with sandalwood, aloe, and perfumes, they are like trees in springtime that do not blossom. A kingdom without a king is as barren as rivers without water, forests without grass, or herds of cows without a herdsman. Just as a banner marks the chariot and smoke signals the presence of fire, so the king is the banner of the land, having attained a divine stature. In a land bereft of a king, nothing truly belongs to anyone; men prey upon one another like fish in a pond. Even those who break boundaries, who doubt, and who deny the divine—these are kept in order only by the king’s punishment. The king is to the kingdom what sight is to the body: the source of truth and righteousness. He embodies truth and virtue, is the noble lineage itself, and stands as both mother and father, benefactor to all. By his great conduct, the noble king surpasses even Yama, Kubera, Indra, and mighty Varuna. Without a king, the world would plunge into darkness, and no one could distinguish good from evil. While the great king lives, all obey his command, just as the ocean remains within its bounds. Thus, seeing the state of the kingdom, it is clear that without a king, it is like a wilderness. The generous prince, son of Ikshvaku, should be crowned as king. Now, let the sixty-eighth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā section, be heard. Hearing these words, the sage Vasiṣṭha addressed all 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, “Let swift messengers go quickly, with fast horses, to bring back those two heroic brothers—why should we delay?” All present agreed, saying, “Let them go.” Vasiṣṭha then called out, “Come, Siddhārtha, Vijaya, Jayanta, Aśoka, and Nandana—listen to what must be done. Go swiftly to the city and palace with the fastest horses, leaving sorrow behind. Say this to Bharata on my behalf: ‘The chief priest and all the ministers send you their greetings. Depart at once with haste; an urgent matter awaits you.’ But do not tell him that Rāma has gone into exile, nor that his father has died; only inform him of this summons to the house of the Raghus. Take fine silk garments and splendid ornaments for the king and for Bharata, and go.” After eating food suitable for the journey, the messengers returned to their homes, preparing to depart for Kekaya, mounting their approved horses. Having performed the departure rites and completed all remaining tasks, the messengers, permitted by Vasiṣṭha, set out in haste. They traveled northward along the western bank of the long Aparaṭāla, crossing the Mālinī river in the middle. After crossing the Gaṅgā at Hastināpura, they went westward, reaching the land of Pañāla and passing through the Kurujāṅgala region. Along the way, they observed lakes and rivers filled with pure water, pressing onward with determination. With 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. At the right time, they came to the holy river Ikṣumatī, sacred to their ancestors and flowing from the Bodhibhavana. Seeing Brāhmaṇas who drank water with cupped hands and were learned in the Vedas, they passed through the land of Bāhlīka and the mountain called Sudāmāna. They beheld the abode of Vishnu, and also the Vipāśā and Śālmālī rivers, witnessing rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, and pools. They observed various lions, tigers, deer, and elephants as they proceeded along the great road, eager to fulfill their master’s command. Though their vehicles grew weary from the long journey, the messengers pressed on and swiftly reached the best city—a mountain settlement—without delay. For the sake of their master’s pleasure, the protection of the family, and the preservation of their master’s lineage, the messengers, undeterred and hurrying, arrived at the city during the night. Now, let the sixty-ninth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, be heard. On that very night when the messengers entered the city, Bharata too was troubled by an unpleasant dream. When the night had passed and he recalled the disturbing vision, the son of the great king was deeply distressed. Noticing his sorrow, his dear friends, wishing to ease his heart, began to tell stories in the assembly.