When Bharata, filled with righteous indignation, saw Manthara, the hunchbacked maid who had sown the seeds of sorrow in Ayodhya, he spoke with deep concern, “If Rama, the righteous one, learns that even this hunchback has been killed, he will surely not speak to you or to me.” Hearing his brother’s words, Shatrughna, Lakshmana’s younger brother, immediately withdrew from his anger and released Manthara from his grip. Overwhelmed with grief and fear, Manthara collapsed at Kaikeyi’s feet, gasping and weeping bitterly, her heart heavy with sorrow. She cried out in distress, her lamentations echoing through the palace. Kaikeyi, Bharata’s mother, saw the hunchback, her senses reeling from Shatrughna’s wrath. With gentle hands, Kaikeyi comforted her, as one might soothe a frightened bird clinging desperately for safety. As the next day dawned, the fourteenth since Rama’s exile, the royal ministers gathered together and approached Bharata. They addressed him with great respect, saying, “O prince, King Dasharatha, our revered elder, has departed for heaven, having sent Rama and mighty Lakshmana into exile. Now, O illustrious one, you must become our king today. With the kingdom leaderless, it is not proper for us to act otherwise. All the materials for your consecration are prepared, and 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.” Bharata, steadfast in his vow, circumambulated the consecration materials and addressed the assembled ministers and citizens. “In our family, kingship always belongs to the eldest. Wise men like you should not speak to me in this way. For Rama is our elder brother and will be king of the earth. I will dwell in the forest for fourteen years instead. Let a great, fourfold army be prepared; I myself will bring back my elder brother, Raghava, from the forest. All the consecration materials, fully prepared, will go before us. I will go to the forest for Rama’s sake. There, with all due rites, I will consecrate that tiger among men and bring Rama back, as fire is brought forth from the sacrifice. I will not fulfill the selfish wishes of my mother. I will dwell in the harsh forest, and Rama will be king. Let the craftsmen make the road, whether level or uneven, and let skilled guards accompany us.” Hearing Bharata’s selfless resolve, the people replied with words full of beauty and praise, “May the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, attend you as you speak thus, wishing to give the earth to your elder brother, the prince.” Tears of joy flowed from the eyes of the noble assembly, their faces shining with hope. The ministers and the gathered citizens, now freed from sorrow, joyfully declared, “The devoted people and the craftsmen have received your command and will prepare the road.” Thus, those skilled in land and construction—experts in measuring, marking, and engineering—set out with brave hearts, accompanied by foremen, machinists, carpenters, road-makers, and tree-cutters. Well-diggers, plasterers, bamboo workers, and surveyors all joined the great procession. This vast, joyful multitude moved swiftly, shining like the ocean at the full moon. With their tools, the workers advanced, cutting through creepers, bushes, shrubs, and stones, clearing the way and felling trees where needed. In treeless places, some planted saplings, while others used axes, hatchets, and sickles to clear the path. Strong men broke through dense thickets, clearing even the most difficult terrain. Some filled wells and deep pits with sand, while others leveled the low-lying grounds. They bound, cleared, and broke open whatever was necessary. In a short time, they created many water channels, vast and varied like the sea. In dry regions, they dug excellent wells, each adorned with platforms of different shapes. The path became splendid, with plastered floors, blossoming trees, the songs of intoxicated birds, and colorful flags fluttering along the way. Sprinkled with sandal water and decorated with flowers, the army’s route shone, resembling the very path to heaven. Officials, following their orders, selected delightful places rich with sweet fruits for the journey. The settlement desired by noble Bharata was further adorned with ornaments, sparkling like a jewel. At auspicious moments, under favorable stars, the experts established the settlement for the great-souled Bharata, preparing the way for his journey to bring Rama home.