Bharadvaja requested Bharata to stay on at his hermitage one more day, so as to offer him the full honors due to a noble guest.Disregarding Bharata's protests, the sage even asked the armies into the hermitage. Bharata said that kings or princes should always spare hermitages from desecration, as spirited horses and intoxicated elephants could damage plants and cottages." But the sage insisted. Invoking Visvakarma to offer the best to his guests he said, "May Viswakarma, the architect of the world, create shelter to house and entertain my guests. May Indra, Varuna, Yama and Kubera provide food and may the rivers be diverted here bringing with them the best of wines. I invite Rambha, Menaka and Urvasi along with Thumbura. May they hasten here along with their musical instruments and may the moon provide us with sumptuous food!"



Thus invoked the emaciated sage, who could survive on nothing more than sheer yogic power, without partaking of any food, if need be.He stood facing east, with joined palms, in an attitude of worship and welcomed those whom he had invoked. Celestial clouds showered flowers, to the reverberating sound of divine drums and gongs, while the earth and sky hummed a melody. Then there appeared a veritable paradise. Created by the Devas and invoked by Bharadvaja, its unparalleled beauty upon earth rivaled with the very heavens.

Extending five yojanas on each side was carpet like grasslands. Lush trees of gooseberry, mango, jackfruit and various other fruits, were bent down with the burden of their fruit. Magnificent mansions had sprung up all over. Even the animals had their own abodes by way of stables and ample resting places, filled with cool lakes and green foliage.The lofty palace dazzling with its turrets seemed to pierce the clouds. Furnished with rich carpets, filled with celestial scents, it had ambrosial drinks of every kind and delectable food. The people of Kosala were spell bound at the magnificence. Invited by Bharadvaja, Bharata entered the gem-encrusted palace, followed by his bedazzled counselors. There they saw in an enclosure, a golden throne meant for Bharata who circumambulated it, as if Rama were already seated in it.He then sat on a seat meant for the ministers, worshipfully avoiding the throne intended for him.

Into that brilliance arrived, the twenty thousand Apsaras sent by Brahma and the bewitchingly beautiful women, sent by Kubera, reputed to intoxicate the minds of men. Thumbura and the gandharvas sang for Bharata while celestials Alsmbusa, Punderika, Misrakesi and Vamana danced. Even trees were made to entertain. Commanded by the sage, the 'Maredu' trees played the drums, the 'Thandra' rang the cymbals and the 'Bodhi' trees danced. Each warrior was treated to the luxury of being attended to by seven or eight women, who pampered and supplied them their every need and much wine. Even animals were not denied the divine hospitality. They too were feasted and fussed over. Enchanted and thrilled with the spectacular hospitality of their host the soldiers grew delirious. Mesmerized by the Apsaras they swore never to return to Ayodhya nor enter the Dandaka. "Let Bharata live here and Rama be happy where he is" they declared! Eating, drinking and making merry, the soldiers wore garlands danced and sang to their heart's content. Wonder struck at the vast array of foods and drink they ate and drank insatiably. In that joyous atmosphere cows poured out streams of milk and trees dripped honey. Every one wore beautiful new clothes. The women in the army, the servants, attendants and wives of soldiers proudly showed off their new possessions.None among the sea of people wore any colour except pristine white. An unbelievable array of unguents, perfumes, mirrors, combs and every conceivable form of toiletry was provided. People bathed in the shimmering lakes afloat with lotus and lily while the myriad colors and aromas of food beckoned the guests. There were even step wells, which contained the wine called 'Maireya', with cooked meats of peacock and chicken placed around it. The day of feasting and festivity finally came to an end and Bharata took reverential leave of Bharadvaja.