Without a king to distinguish the good from the bad, this world would be shrouded in utter darkness, and nothing could be known. As long as the great king lives, we all abide by his command alone, just as the ocean remains within its bounds. Therefore, O best of the twice-born, seeing how things stand, this kingdom is like a wilderness without a king. The generous prince, the son of Ikshvaku, should be crowned here by you as king. Now, let the sixty-eighth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā section, be heard. Hearing these words, Vasiṣṭha addressed all the friends, ministers, and Brāhmaṇas, saying, “Since Bharata now lives happily in his maternal uncle’s city, staying in the royal palace together with his brother Śatrughna, swift messengers should be sent at once, with fast horses, to bring back these two heroic brothers. Why should we delay?” All those present agreed, saying to Vasiṣṭha, “Let them go.” So Vasiṣṭha spoke again, “Come, Siddhārtha, Vijaya, Jayanta, Aśoka, and Nandana—listen to what must be done. Go swiftly to the city and the royal palace with the fastest horses, leaving behind all sorrow, and 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. And quickly take fine silk garments and splendid ornaments for the king and for Bharata, and go.” After eating food suited for the journey, the messengers returned to their own 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. Traveling northward along the western bank of the long Aparaṭāla, they crossed the Mālinī river at its 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 full lakes and rivers with pure water, and, intent on their mission, traveled swiftly. 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, flowing from the Bodhibhavana. Passing through the land of Bāhlīka and the mountain called Sudāmāna, they saw Brāhmaṇas who drank water with cupped hands and were learned in the Vedas. They beheld the abode of Vishnu, the Vipāśā and Śālmālī rivers, and many rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, and pools. Along the way, they also observed various lions, tigers, deer, and elephants, proceeding along the great road, eager to fulfill their master’s command. Though their vehicles were exhausted from the long journey, the messengers pressed on and swiftly reached the best city, the 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 that 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 saw an unpleasant dream. When the night had passed and he recalled that troubling dream, the son of the great king was deeply distressed. Seeing his sorrow, his dear friends, wishing to lighten his heart, began to tell stories in the assembly. Some played music to soothe him, others danced, and yet others performed various plays and comedies. Yet, though surrounded by friends speaking kindly and making jokes, the noble Bharata found no joy. One dear friend, seated among the companions, asked Bharata, “Why, my friend, do you not take pleasure?” To this, Bharata replied, “Listen to the reason for this sadness that has come upon me. In a dream I saw my father, unkempt, with loosened hair, falling from a mountain peak into a muddy, filthy pool. I also saw him floating in that filthy pool, repeatedly drinking oil with his hands, as if laughing again and again. Then, after eating rice balls made of sesame, his head hanging down, his whole body smeared with oil, he immersed himself in oil again and again. In my dream I saw the ocean dried up, the moon fallen to the earth, and the blazing fire suddenly extinguished. The tusk of the royal elephant was shattered, and the blazing fire was suddenly extinguished. I saw the earth split open, many trees dried up, and mountains scattered and smoking.” Thus, Bharata’s heart was heavy, burdened by ominous dreams, even as the messengers, sent from Ayodhyā, arrived in the city by night, bearing urgent tidings.