Vasishta sent for the messengers Siddhartha, Vijaya, Jambavanta, Ashoka and Nandana to bring Bharata and Satrughna from Kekaya. They were not to reveal the exile of Rama or the passing away of Dasaratha but tell Bharata that his immediate presence in Ayodhya was essential. "Take gifts of fine clothes and ornaments to the king of Kekaya and his son," he added.

Mounted on swiftfooted horses, the messengers set out on their mission travelling north of the Pralamba mountains passing Apartala along the shores of the river Malini. Coming to Hastinapura, they crossed Ganga and from there westward bound, arrived at Panchala, by way of Kurujanga after which they had to cross one more river, the Sarabanda. Many miles later they reached the mountain of Bodhibhavan and the river Ikshumati, venerated by the Ikshvaku dynasty. They passed many regions dotted with lakes, streams, step wells and limpid pools, where tigers, lions, elephants and deer roamed. Reaching the lovely city of Girivraja, though wearied the messengers from Ayodhya galloped on with the speed of the winds. They travelled by night and by day, to reach Rajagriha by nightfall.