Bharata, troubled and thoughtful, began to recount the ominous dream that had visited him. "I saw the earth itself split open," he said, his voice subdued. "Many trees withered before my eyes, and the great mountains were scattered, their peaks wreathed in smoke. Seated upon an iron throne, dressed all in black, the king—my father—was mocked and laughed at by women with dark and tawny complexions. Then, righteous in nature but adorned strangely with red garlands and ointments, he hastened away, facing south, riding in a chariot drawn by donkeys. It seemed to me as though a woman clad in red—her form distorted, a demoness—was dragging the king away by force. "All this I saw in that terrifying night. And so, Rama, I fear that either I, the king, or Lakshmana will soon die. For it is said, a man who dreams of traveling in a vehicle drawn by donkeys will soon see the smoke rising from his own funeral pyre. Because of this omen, I am deeply distressed, and I cannot honor you as I should; my throat is parched and my mind is troubled. Though I see no apparent cause for fear, fear grips me. My voice has lost its resonance, and even my shadow seems diminished. I feel a strange disgust toward myself, though I find no reason for it. This ill-omened dream, with its many strange forms and unexpected course, fills my heart with a fear that will not leave, as I ponder the king’s incomprehensible appearance." As Bharata shared his disturbing vision, the seventieth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa begins. While Bharata was still speaking of his dream, messengers arrived at the splendid royal palace and city, their horses exhausted from swift travel, having crossed even the impassable moat. They were brought before the king and his son, where they were honored. Taking hold of the king's feet, they spoke respectfully to Bharata: "The priest sends you his well-wishes, as do all the ministers. You must depart quickly, for urgent duty awaits you." They presented Bharata with precious garments and ornaments, requesting that he give them to his maternal uncle. "Here are twenty crores from the king for your maternal uncle, and ten crores for you, the king's son," they said. Bharata, affectionate toward his friends, accepted all these gifts and honored the messengers in turn. With concern in his heart, Bharata asked them, "Is my father, King Dasharatha, well? Has any harm come to Rama or the great-souled Lakshmana? Is noble Kausalya, ever devoted to righteousness and wise in dharma, free from illness? And what of Sumitra, the mother of Lakshmana and the heroic Shatrughna, is she well? And my mother Kaikeyi—self-willed, fierce, quick to anger, and proud—what message does she send to me?" The messengers replied, "O tiger among men, those for whom you care are well. Fortune and the lotus goddess favor you. May your protection be assured." Thus reassured, Bharata said, "I will take leave of the great king; the messengers urge me to hurry." He then approached his maternal grandfather and said, "O King, urged by the messengers, I must go to my father's presence. I will return whenever you remember me." His grandfather, embracing Bharata's head, spoke auspicious words: "Go, dear child. Kaikeyi is blessed to have a son like you. Convey my well-wishes to your mother and your father, the supreme ascetic. Greet the priest and all the twice-born men, and also your brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, those mighty archers." The Kaikeyan king honored Bharata with the best elephant, fine blankets and skins, and ordered two thousand gold coins and sixteen hundred horses as gifts. He also gave him trusted and virtuous ministers to serve as attendants, elephants of the Airavata line, swift and beautiful mules, and palace-raised dogs of tiger-like strength and size. Having taken leave of his maternal grandfather and uncle, Bharata, victorious in battle, together with Shatrughna, mounted his chariot and departed. Yet, as he left, a great anxiety gripped his heart, fueled by the urgency of the messengers and the troubling vision of his dream. Bharata left his residence, surrounded by men, elephants, and horses, and entered the splendid, unrivaled royal road. Passing through the city, he saw the inner quarters and entered, unhindered. After bidding farewell to his mother and his maternal uncle Yudhājit, Bharata, with Shatrughna, ascended his chariot and set forth. More than a hundred chariots, their wheels round and strong, were harnessed; servants followed, bringing camels, cattle, horses, and mules. Protected by his army and accompanied by ministers of noble status, Bharata, with Shatrughna—free from enemies—departed from the house as if leaving Indra’s own world behind.