Bharata, noble and steadfast, approached the great sage Bharadvāja, seeking his blessing and guidance. With humility, he declared, “I have come to this tiger among men, longing for his favor, so that I might bring Rama back to Ayodhya and bow at his feet.” Bharata pleaded, “Please show me kindness, considering my situation. Tell me, revered one, where is Rama, the lord of the earth, at present?” At that moment, Vasiṣṭha and the other priests encouraged Bharadvāja to speak. The venerable sage, moved by Bharata’s sincerity, offered him gentle words. “Such conduct is befitting you, O tiger among men, descendant of Raghu,” Bharadvāja said. “You honor your elders, practice self-restraint, and follow the virtuous path. I know these qualities are firmly rooted in your mind. My questioning was only to further enhance your renown.” Bharadvāja then revealed, “I know that Rama, knower of righteousness, dwells with Sita and Lakṣmaṇa on the great mountain Citrakūṭa. Tomorrow, after resting here with your counselors, you will go to that place. Grant me this wish, O wise one, skilled in fulfilling desires.” Reassured and noble in appearance, Bharata replied, “So be it,” and resolved to spend the night in the hermitage, thus ending the ninetieth chapter of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the sacred Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. In the peaceful hermitage, the sage Bharadvāja, having decided to stay, invited Bharata, son of Kaikeyī, as his guest. Bharata responded, “Surely, you have already performed all that is proper—foot-washing, offerings, and hospitality—as is fitting in the forest.” Smiling, Bharadvāja replied, “I know you are filled with affection; you are pleased by any gesture. Yet, I wish to provide food for your army, for my affection is as it should be, and you are worthy, O lord of men. But why have you left your forces at a distance and come here? Why did you not approach with your army, O best of men?” With joined palms, Bharata answered, “I have not come here with my army, revered one, out of fear of disturbing you. Whether by the king or by the prince, ascetics must always be protected from harm within the realm. Foremost horses, men, and noble elephants follow me, covering the vast earth. I wished that none would harm the trees, water, land, huts, or anything in the hermitages; thus, I came here alone.” Hearing this, Bharadvāja commanded, “Bring the army here.” Bharata then arranged for the army’s arrival. Entering the fire-hall, Bharadvāja drank water and cleansed himself, preparing to offer hospitality. Through his ascetic power, he summoned Viśvakarman, the divine architect, and Tvaṣṭṛ. “I wish to perform hospitality—let this be arranged for me here,” he declared. He called upon the three guardians of the worlds, the gods led by Śakra, and requested their aid in hospitality. He summoned all the rivers, those flowing eastward and westward, on earth and in the sky, to come forth in every way. He wished some rivers to flow with mead, others with well-prepared wine, and others with cold water, sweet as sugarcane juice. Bharadvāja called forth the divine Gandharvas—Viśvāvasu, Haha, and Hūhū—and all the divine Apsarases and Gandharvīs: Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Miśrakeśī, Alambusā, Nāgadantā, Hemā, and Himā, born on mountain slopes. He summoned those women who attend Śakra and serve Brahmā, together with Tumburu and their attendants. He called for the divine forest in the Kuru land, with garments, ornaments, and leaves, and the eternal divine fruits of Kubera. He prayed, “Here, may the revered Soma provide me with excellent food—various dishes to eat, enjoy, suck, and lick, in abundance. Let there be diverse garlands, drinks such as divine liquor, and various kinds of meat.” With unmatched concentration, brilliance, and mastery of recitation, the sage spoke these words through ascetic power. Facing east with joined hands, he meditated, and all those deities arrived, each separately. A gentle wind, removing sweat, touched Malaya and Dardura, blowing softly—pleasing, comfortable, and auspicious. Celestial clouds gathered, showering flowers from the sky. The sound of divine drums echoed in all directions. The finest winds blew, and hosts of apsaras danced. Gods and gandharvas sang and played their vīṇās, releasing melodious notes that filled the sky, earth, and the ears of all living beings, resonating clearly and gently in perfect rhythm. When that divine music, delightful to all listeners, ceased, Bharata beheld the wondrous arrangement crafted by Viśvakarman for the army. The ground became level everywhere for five yojanas, covered with lush green grasses, sparkling like blue beryl. Fruitful trees appeared—bilva, kapittha, jackfruit, amalaki, and mango, all adorned with fruit. From the northern Kurus, a divine forest of delights arrived, and a celestial river, surrounded by many birds, flowed nearby. Thus, the sage’s hospitality transformed the hermitage into a place of celestial abundance, honoring Bharata and his vast retinue in a manner befitting the grandeur of the epic.