Hearing the ministers’ report, the assembly was at once freed from sorrow. Their hearts lightened, they joyfully declared, “By your command, the devoted citizens and the skilled craftsmen have already been instructed regarding the road.” Thus, with the king’s will clear, the preparations began in earnest. Now begins the eightieth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. Those most skilled in the work of the land—experts in measuring and marking, devoted to their craft, brave diggers and engineers—all set out together. Alongside them went foremen, men adept with machines, carpenters, road-builders, and tree-cutters. Well-diggers, plasterers, those who worked with bamboo, and those capable of surveying the land—all these set forth as well. This vast multitude, their hearts joyful, moved with great speed toward their task, shining like the ocean swells under the full moon. Each group took up its assigned work and advanced, carrying many kinds of tools. They cut through creepers, bushes, shrubs, and even stones, clearing the way and felling trees as needed. In places where there were no trees, some planted saplings, while others, wielding axes, hatchets, and sickles, cut down trees elsewhere. Strong men, and those even stronger, broke through dense thickets of reeds and cleared the difficult terrain wherever it was needed. Some filled up wells and deep pits with sand, while others leveled the low-lying areas all around. They bound what needed to be bound, cleared what needed clearing, and broke open what needed to be broken. In a short time, they created many water channels, each one vast and varied, like the sea itself. In dry places, they dug excellent wells, adorned with platforms of many shapes. The path they prepared was splendid, with plastered floors, blossoming trees, and the calls of intoxicated birds. Flags fluttered, and the road shone, sprinkled with sandal water and decorated with many flowers, resembling the very path to heaven. The officials, acting as ordered, selected delightful spots rich with sweet fruits. The settlement Bharata desired was adorned with ornaments, making it shine like a jewel. Experts, consulting auspicious stars and moments, established the settlement for the great-souled Bharata. It was surrounded by moats piled high with sand, its posts as splendid as Indra’s machinery, and its main gates magnificent. Rows of palaces, surrounded by mansions and walls adorned with flags, lined broad, well-constructed roads. Tall buildings with upper stories seemed to glide through the sky, making the settlement appear like Indra’s own city. At last, they reached the Ganges, a river filled with groves of trees, cool and pure water, and teeming with great fish. Just as the spotless sky shines at night with the moon and stars, so the royal road, delightfully and skillfully built, shone in succession. Now begins the eighty-first sarga of the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. During the auspicious night, bards and minstrels gathered and praised Bharata with words of blessing and songs filled with good omens. The hour-drum, edged with gold, resounded; hundreds of conches were blown, and musical instruments played notes both high and low. Yet, the great sound of those instruments, filling the sky, only deepened Bharata’s grief, for his heart was already consumed by sorrow. Awakened by the noise, Bharata halted the music and declared, “I am not king.” Turning to Shatrughna, he spoke, “See, Shatrughna, what great harm Kaikeyi has done to the people. Abandoning me to sorrow, King Dasharatha has departed. The royal fortune of that righteous, high-souled king, rooted in dharma, now drifts aimlessly, like a boat without a rudder on the water. Even Rama, our mighty protector, has been banished to the forest by my mother, who has abandoned righteousness.” Seeing Bharata thus lamenting—distraught and pitiable—all the women present wept aloud. As Bharata grieved, the illustrious Vasishta, knower of royal duty, entered the assembly hall of the Ikshvaku lord. He came into the splendid hall, made of polished clay and adorned with gems and jewels, resembling the celestial Sudharma and filled with attendants. The sage, master of all the Vedas, sat upon a golden throne covered with the finest cloth. He then gave instructions to the messengers: “Quickly, and without delay, bring here the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, warriors, ministers, and leaders of the people, for we have urgent business. Bring Shatrughna, loyal to the king, the illustrious Bharata, Yudhajit, Sumantra, and all those loyal people present here.” A great tumult arose as people arrived in chariots, on horses, and on elephants. As Bharata entered, the people welcomed him as the gods once welcomed Indra, just as they had welcomed King Dasharatha before him.