As Bharata and Shatrughna journeyed on, all those who followed them were overcome with even greater sorrow. Exhausted and weighed down by grief, the two brothers collapsed upon the ground, writhing in anguish like a pair of bulls whose horns had been broken. At that moment, Vasishtha, their father's wise and venerable priest, approached. Seeing Bharata, he gently raised him up and said, "O illustrious one, this is now the thirteenth day since your father's passing. Only his bones remain—why do you linger here? Among all beings, three pairs of opposites unavoidably arise. In such matters, there should be no delay." Sumantra, too, helped Shatrughna to his feet and offered him words of comfort. The wise Sumantra reminded them of the eternal truth about the coming and going of all living beings. Thus uplifted, Bharata and Shatrughna—men as mighty as tigers—rose up, their inner radiance shining through their sorrow. Though they were drenched by rain and scorched by the sun, they stood tall, like two separate banners of Indra battered by the elements. Wiping away their tears, their eyes red from weeping, they spoke in voices heavy with grief. Now, listen to the next chapter in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa. As Bharata, tormented by grief, prepared to depart, Shatrughna, the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa, spoke to him with anguish: "He who is the refuge of all beings—what suffering must he not feel for himself? That Rāma, so virtuous, has been exiled to the forest by a woman. And Lakṣmaṇa, strong and full of valor—why did he not free Rāma, even if it meant restraining our father? Our father, having fallen under the sway of a woman and strayed from the path of righteousness, should have been restrained earlier, for he failed to see what was right and what was wrong." As Shatrughna spoke thus, Kubjā—the hunchbacked Manthara—appeared at the eastern gate, adorned in fine sandalwood paste, royal garments, and sparkling ornaments. Jeweled girdles and many cords hung from her, making her resemble a monkey bound with many ropes. The doorkeeper, recognizing her as the cause of so much misfortune, seized the pitiless Kubjā and brought her before Shatrughna, saying, "Because of her, Rāma was sent to the forest and your father gave up his life. Here is that wicked and cruel woman—do with her as you see fit." Hearing these words, Shatrughna, though deeply distressed, stood firm in his resolve and addressed the attendants of the inner palace: "By whose actions such suffering has come upon my brothers and my father, let her now reap the fruit of her cruel deed." At his command, Kubjā was seized with force and wailed as she was dragged away, surrounded by her companions. Terrified by Shatrughna's wrath, her companions scattered in all directions, fearing total destruction. Gathering together, they resolved, "Let us seek refuge with Kausalyā—she is compassionate, generous, righteous, and renowned. Surely, she will be our safe haven." Meanwhile, Shatrughna, his eyes red with anger, dragged the crying Kubjā along the ground. As she was pulled here and there, her many ornaments were scattered across the palace floor, making the splendid royal residence look, in that moment, like the autumn sky strewn with stars. Overcome with rage, Shatrughna rebuked Kaikeyi harshly, speaking rough and painful words that left her deeply distressed. Terrified by his anger, Kaikeyi sought refuge with her son, Bharata. Seeing Shatrughna enraged, Bharata intervened, saying, "Women are not to be slain by any being; forgive her. I would kill this wicked Kaikeyi, who has acted so evilly, were it not for the righteous Rāma, who would blame me for slaying my own mother. If Rāma learns that even this hunchback has been killed, he will surely not speak to you or me ever again." Hearing Bharata's words, Shatrughna let go of his anger and released Manthara. Manthara, gasping and overwhelmed with sorrow, fell at Kaikeyi's feet and lamented pitiably. Seeing her, senses bewildered by Shatrughna's violence, Kaikeyi gently comforted the hunchback, who clung to her like a distressed bird seeking shelter. Now, listen to the seventy-ninth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. At dawn on the fourteenth day, the royal ministers gathered and addressed Bharata: "King Dasharatha, our greatest elder, has departed for heaven, having exiled Rāma, the eldest, and mighty Lakṣmaṇa. Now, O prince of great fame, you must become our king today; for with the kingdom leaderless, it is not proper for us to act otherwise. All the consecration materials are ready, O Rāghava. Your people and the guilds await you. Accept the kingdom, Bharata, the great inheritance from your father and grandfather; consecrate yourself and protect us, best of men.