When Rāma beheld Bharata approaching, he was at first scarcely able to recognize his beloved brother. Bharata’s hair was matted, his body draped in garments of bark, his hands pressed together in reverence as he lay prostrate on the ground—he looked as altered and diminished as the sun at the end of an age. Yet, through the veil of suffering and austerity, Rāma discerned his brother, whose face was pale and body worn thin with grief. Overcome with compassion, Rāma reached out, lifting Bharata with his strong arm. The scion of the Raghu line drew Bharata close, smelling his head in affection, and embraced him tenderly. He raised Bharata onto his lap, his heart full of concern, and began to question him with gentle care. “My dear Bharata,” Rāma asked softly, “where is our father, that you have come to the forest? For as long as he lives, you ought not to be here. After so long, I see you approaching from afar, yet in this wilderness your appearance is unfamiliar to me. Why have you come, my dear one? Is our father, the king, still alive? Or has he, overwhelmed by sorrow, departed from this world?” Rāma’s questions flowed with deep concern. “Gentle one, surely your kingdom, the lasting inheritance of a child, has not been lost? Do you serve our father, steadfast in his vows? Is King Daśaratha, who is true to his word and has performed the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices, still well? He who is firm in righteousness?” He continued, “Is the learned and ever-righteous Brāhmaṇa, the illustrious preceptor of the Ikṣvāku line, honored as he should be, dear one? Are our mothers well—Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and the noble queen Kaikeyī? Are they happy? Is your family priest, disciplined, learned, free from envy, and impartial, properly respected?” Rāma’s concern extended to every detail of Bharata’s life and rule. “Are you attentive to the sacred fires, knowledgeable in the rites, wise and upright, ensuring that all offerings are made at the proper time? Do you show due respect to the gods, your father and mother, your teachers, elders, physicians, and Brāhmaṇas?” He asked further, “Do you have as your instructor one skilled in the best weapons, expert in statecraft, and well-versed in the science of wealth? Have you appointed ministers who are as brave as yourself, learned, self-controlled, noble, perceptive, and discerning? For, dear Bharata, wise counsel is the root of a king’s victory, especially when guarded by ministers skilled in counsel and versed in the sciences.” Rāma’s wisdom shone through his questions. “Do you avoid falling under the sway of sleep? Do you rise at the proper time, reflecting on the subtleties of affairs even in the late hours? Do you avoid deliberating alone or with too many, and when you have taken counsel, does your plan remain secret?” He continued, “Do you, after determining a matter with small effort but great result, set about accomplishing it quickly, without delay? Are all your actions, or those already accomplished, known to your virtuous subjects? For kings should not undertake what is unknown. Do you, by reasoning or through your ministers, discern any counsel that has not been declared by you or your advisers?” Rāma pressed on, “Do you desire one wise person rather than a thousand fools? For a single wise man, in times of difficulty, can accomplish great benefit, while even thousands of fools offer no true support. A single intelligent, brave, skilled, and discerning minister can bring great prosperity to a king and his kingdom.” He inquired further, “Are your chief servants assigned to important tasks, those of moderate ability to moderate tasks, and the lowest to the least duties? Do you appoint as your ministers those above suspicion, pure, descended from our father and grandfather, and the best among the best to the highest tasks?” Rāma’s questions revealed his deep understanding of kingship. “O son of Kaikeyī, do your counselors approve of your rule, or is your kingdom disturbed by harsh punishment and a troubled people? Are you not despised by your priests, as a fallen man is, or by women as one who pursues harsh gifts with desire? One skilled in intrigue, a physician intent on corrupting servants, brave and greedy for power—if not punished, he deserves the harshest penalty.” He asked about the military: “Have you appointed as commander of your army one who is bold, brave, intelligent, steadfast, pure, of noble lineage, loyal, and capable? Are your principal warriors strong, skilled in battle, proven in danger, properly honored and respected?” Rāma’s concern extended to the well-being of the troops. “Do you give food and wages to your soldiers at the proper time, without delay? For if there is delay, the soldiers become angry and corrupted, and that is a great misfortune for the ruler. Are all the sons of noble families, especially the chief ones, devoted to you? Are they ready to give their lives for your cause, fully committed?” He continued, “Have you appointed as your messenger a learned, skilled, intelligent, and eloquent man from the countryside, who speaks as instructed, O wise Bharata? Do you know the eighteen positions—ten on your own side and five on the enemy’s—by means of three spies each, unknown to one another? Do you always avoid those who are ill-disposed and keep away those who have turned against you, never underestimating the weak, O destroyer of foes?” Finally, Rāma warned, “My son, do you avoid associating with materialistic Brahmins? For these childish men, though thinking themselves wise, are skilled only in useless matters. When the main scriptures of dharma are available, these foolish men, having acquired a little logic, speak uselessly, though they consider themselves wise.” Thus, with love and wisdom, Rāma embraced Bharata and gently questioned him, his words filled with concern for their family, their kingdom, and the righteous path.