A wondrous sound arose, gentle and perfectly rhythmic, resonating through sky and earth, entering the ears of every living being. Its divine melody delighted all who heard it, and when it finally faded, Bharata gazed upon the magnificent arrangement of the army, marveling at the handiwork of Viśvakarma. The ground, for five yojanas, became level everywhere, lush with green grasses that gleamed like blue beryl. Fruit-laden trees appeared: bilva, kapittha, jackfruit, amalaki, mango, and others, each adorned with their bounty. From the northern Kurus, a celestial forest of pleasures arrived, and a divine river, surrounded by countless birds, flowed gently. Splendid halls manifested—four in number—along with stables for elephants and horses. Palaces and mansions crowded together, each with beautiful gateways. Among the royal residences stood a gateway white as a cloud, adorned with heavenly garlands and suffused with divine fragrance. A four-sided hall appeared, filled with beds, seats, vehicles, and all celestial flavors: divine foods, garments, every kind of dish, and spotless vessels. All seats were arranged, covered with excellent bedding. Bharata, mighty-armed and son of Kaikeyi, entered the gem-filled mansion, having been permitted by the great sage. His ministers and priests followed, rejoicing as they saw the mansion’s arrangement. Bharata, together with them, approached the 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. Within moments, rivers appeared before Bharata, their banks made of rice-milk mud, at the command of Bharadvāja. On both banks, delightful divine dwellings arose, coated with pale clay, born from Brahmā’s favor. At that very instant, twenty thousand women adorned with divine ornaments, sent by Brahmā, arrived. Then, twenty-one thousand women, shining with gold, jewels, pearls, and coral, sent by Kubera, joined them. Among these women, a man seized appeared as if possessed by madness, and twenty-one thousand apsarases from Nandana were present. Nārada, Tumburu, Gopa, and the foremost Gandharva kings sang before Bharata, while Alambusā, Miśrakeśī, Puṇḍarīkā, and Vāmanā danced at Bharadvāja’s command. Garlands seen among the gods and in the Citraratha forest appeared at Prayāga through Bharadvāja’s power. Bilva, Mārdaṅgika, Śamyāgrāha, and Vibhītaka trees, along with Aśvattha dancers, performed as commanded. The Sarala, Tāla, Tilaka, and Naktamāla trees gathered joyfully, becoming hunchbacked and dwarfish. Śiṃśupā, Āmalakī, Jambu, and other forest trees, as well as Mālatī, Mallikā, Jāti, and other creepers, were present. Taking the form of beautiful women in Bharadvāja’s hermitage, the gods—drinkers of nectar—invited, “Drink, you who desire, and eat the purest meats as you wish.” On the lovely riverbanks, seven or eight women at a time bathed and anointed each man. The women with charming eyes massaged and wiped each other, and noble ladies served drinks to one another. They fed horses, elephants, donkeys, camels, and the offspring of Surabhi, giving each vehicle its proper food. Sugarcane and honeyed grains were given to the animals, urging on the mighty warriors of the Ikṣvāku line. No one bound horses or restrained elephants; intoxicated, joyful, and excited, none bowed—such was the scene. Satisfied in every desire, smeared with red sandalwood and joined by groups of apsarases, the soldiers raised their voices: “We will not return to Ayodhyā, nor will we go to the Daṇḍaka forest; let Bharata be well, and may Rāma also be happy.” Thus, the foot soldiers, charioteers, elephant and horse riders, and attendants, having found such fortune, cried out in joy. Thousands of men, filled with happiness, exclaimed, “This is heaven!” as they followed Bharata. The soldiers danced, laughed, and sang, adorned with garlands, running about in all directions by the thousands. After eating food like nectar and beholding divine delicacies, their minds turned again to feasting. The attendants, women, and thousands in the army became exceedingly proud, all dressed in splendid garments. Elephants, camels, oxen, horses, wild animals, and birds were all well provided for; none lacked anything. There was no one seen with soiled clothes, nor anyone hungry, dirty, or with hair disheveled by dust. Dishes made from goat and wild boar, with the best cuts, and soups prepared from fruit extracts, fragrant and flavorful, were served. In this way, Bharadvāja’s power transformed the gathering into a scene of celestial delight, where every being was cared for and joy abounded.