Bharata, mindful of his duties, addressed the revered sage, saying, “O venerable one, it is the responsibility of the king, or his prince, to ensure that ascetics within the realm are always protected from harm.” He explained that, wherever he traveled, he was accompanied by the finest horses, noble men, and mighty, intoxicated elephants, all covering the vast earth. Yet, Bharata assured the sage, “None among them must harm the trees, water, land, huts, or anything within the hermitages. For this reason, I have come here alone.” At the sage’s command, Bharata arranged for the army to be brought near. Then, entering the fire-hall, Bharata drank water and cleansed himself. In preparation for hospitality, he summoned Viśvakarman, the divine architect. He called upon both Viśvakarman and Tvaṣṭṛ, expressing his wish to perform hospitality and asking that all be arranged for him there. Bharata’s invocation extended further; he summoned the three guardians of the worlds, the gods led by Śakra, requesting their presence for the same purpose. He called upon all rivers—those flowing eastward and westward, those upon earth and those in the sky—to come forth in every way that day. He wished for some rivers to flow with mead, others with well-prepared wine, and others with cold water sweet as sugarcane juice. He summoned the divine Gandharvas—Viśvāvasu, Haha, and Hūhū—as well as all the divine Apsarases and Gandharvīs: Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Miśrakeśī, Alambusā, Nāgadantā, Hemā, and Himā, born on mountain slopes. Bharata called forth those women who attend Śakra and those who serve Brahmā, together with Tumburu and their attendants. He wished for the divine forest from the land of the Kurus to arrive, bearing garments, ornaments, and leaves, as well as the eternal fruits of Kubera. He prayed that Soma, the revered deity, provide excellent food—an abundance of dishes to eat, enjoy, suck, and lick. He desired diverse garlands, drinks such as divine liquor, and various kinds of meat. Thus, the sage, endowed with concentration, incomparable brilliance, and mastery of recitation, spoke these words through ascetic power. Meditating with hands joined in reverence and facing east, he summoned the deities, and all arrived, each separately. A gentle wind, removing sweat, touched the Malaya and Dardura mountains, blowing pleasantly, auspicious and soothing. Celestial clouds gathered overhead, and showers of flowers fell from the sky. The sound of divine drums echoed in all directions. The finest winds swept through, and the hosts of apsaras danced. The gods and gandharvas sang, playing their vīṇās, releasing melodious notes. This divine sound entered the sky, the earth, and the ears of all living beings, resonating clearly, gently, and in perfect rhythm. When the delightful sound ceased, Bharata beheld the arrangement made for the army by Viśvakarman. The ground had become level everywhere for five yojanas, covered with green grasses that shone like blue beryl. Bilva, kapittha, jackfruit, seed-filled fruits, amalaki, and mango trees adorned with fruit appeared. From the northern Kurus, a divine forest of delights arrived, and a celestial river, surrounded by many birds, flowed nearby. Four splendid halls appeared, along with stables for elephants and horses. Palaces and mansions crowded together, each with beautiful gateways. Among the royal residences, a gateway white as a cloud stood, adorned with divine garlands and suffused with heavenly fragrance. A four-sided hall was filled with beds, seats, and vehicles, equipped with all celestial flavors, divine food and garments, all kinds of dishes, and spotless, clean vessels. All seats were arranged, splendid and covered with excellent bedding. Bharata, mighty-armed son of Kaikeyi, entered the mansion filled with gems, after being permitted by the great sage. All the ministers and priests followed him, rejoicing as they witnessed the magnificent arrangement of the mansion. Bharata, with his ministers, approached the divine royal seat, fan, and umbrella, as befitting a king. He honored the seat, bowing to Rāma, then took up the yak-tail fan and sat in the minister’s seat. The ministers and priests sat in order, followed by the commander and overseer, who took their seats behind. Then, within a moment, rivers with banks of rice-milk mud appeared before Bharata, by the command of Bharadvāja. On both banks, delightful and divine dwellings arose, coated with pale clay, born from the favor of Brahmā. Within that same moment, twenty thousand women adorned with divine ornaments, sent by Brahmā, arrived. Twenty-one thousand women adorned with gold, jewels, pearls, and coral, sent by Kubera, shone resplendently. Along with them, a man seized appeared as if possessed by madness; twenty-one thousand apsarases from Nandana were present. Nārada, Tumburu, Gopa, and the foremost radiant Gandharva kings sang before Bharata. Alambusā, Miśrakeśī, Puṇḍarīkā, and Vāmanā danced before him at the command of Bharadvāja. Thus, the divine hospitality was arranged, and Bharata, his ministers, and all those present were honored in a manner befitting the gods themselves.