When Bharata arrived in the forest, Rāma, the noble descendant of Raghu, greeted him with deep affection. He lovingly smelled Bharata’s head, embraced him warmly, and lifted him onto his lap. With gentle concern, Rāma began to question him, seeking to understand the reason for Bharata’s unexpected visit. “My dear Bharata,” Rāma asked, “where is our father that you have come to the forest? As long as he lives, you should not be here. It has been so long since I last saw you, and now I see you approaching from afar. Your presence here, so unfamiliar in this forest, fills me with questions—why have you come, dear one?” Rāma’s voice grew anxious as he continued, “Is the king still alive, dear Bharata? Or has he, overwhelmed by grief, suddenly departed this world? Surely, gentle one, your kingdom—the lasting inheritance of a child—has not been lost?” With care, Rāma asked, “Do you serve your father, who is true to his vows? Is King Dasharatha, steadfast in truth, well—the one who performed the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices, firm in righteousness? Is the learned and ever-righteous Brāhmaṇa, the illustrious preceptor of the Ikṣvāku line, honored as he deserves?” Turning his thoughts to the women of the palace, Rāma inquired, “Is Kausalyā well, and Sumitrā, mother of sons? Is the noble queen Kaikeyī happy?” Rāma’s concern extended to the spiritual and practical affairs of the kingdom: “Is your family priest, endowed with discipline, learned, free from envy, and impartial, honored by you? Are you attentive to the sacred fires, knowledgeable in the rites, wise and upright, always ensuring that what is offered and to be offered is done at the proper time? Do you show proper respect to the gods, your father, mother, teachers, elders, physicians, and Brāhmaṇas?” He continued, “Do you regard as your instructor one skilled in the best weapons, expert in statecraft, and well-versed in the science of wealth? Have you appointed as ministers those who are brave as yourself, learned, self-controlled, noble, perceptive, and discerning? For, Rāghava, counsel is the root of victory for kings, especially when well-guarded by ministers skilled in counsel and versed in the sciences.” Rāma’s questions grew more probing: “Do you not fall under the sway of sleep? Do you rise at the proper time? Do you reflect on the subtleties of affairs even in the latter part of the night? Do you not deliberate alone, nor with too many? When you have taken counsel, does your plan not leak out into the realm?” He asked, “Do you, Rāghava, after determining a matter with small effort but great result, quickly set about accomplishing it, without delay? Are all your actions, or those already accomplished, known to your virtuous subjects? For kings should not undertake what is unknown. By reasoning or inference, or through your ministers, do you discern any counsel that has not been declared by you or your advisers?” Rāma offered wise advice: “Do you desire one wise person rather than a thousand fools? For a wise man, in times of difficulty, can accomplish great benefit. Even if a king relies on thousands or tens of thousands of fools, among them there is no true support. Even a single minister who is intelligent, brave, skilled, and discerning can bring great prosperity to a king or to a kingdom.” He continued his careful questioning: “Are your chief servants assigned to important tasks, those of middling ability to moderate tasks, and the lowest to the least duties? Do you appoint as your ministers those who are above suspicion, pure, descended from your father and grandfather, and the best among the best to the highest tasks? O son of Kaikeyī, do your counselors approve of your rule, or is your kingdom disturbed by harsh punishment and a greatly troubled people?” Rāma’s concern for Bharata’s reputation was evident: “Are you not despised by your priests, as a fallen man is, or by women as one who accepts harsh gifts and pursues them with desire? One who is skilled in intrigue, a physician intent on corrupting servants, brave and greedy for power—if not punished, he deserves to be executed.” 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, and have you honored and respected them properly? Do you give food and wages to your troops at the proper time, without delay, as is fitting? For if there is delay in giving food and wages, the soldiers become angry and corrupted, and that is considered a great misfortune for the ruler.” Rāma inquired about the loyalty of the nobles: “Are all the sons of noble families, especially the chief ones, devoted to you? Are they ready to give their lives for your cause, with full commitment? Have you appointed as your messenger a learned, skilled, intelligent, and eloquent man from the countryside, who speaks as instructed, O wise Bharata?” He asked about intelligence and security: “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 not well-disposed and keep away those who have turned against you, never underestimating the weak, O destroyer of foes?” Rāma’s wisdom shone as he advised, “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.” Finally, Rāma asked about the city itself: “O father, is the city, once inhabited by our heroic ancestors, named Truth, with strong gates, crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots, still flourishing? Is it always filled with Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, devoted to their own duties, self-controlled, of great enthusiasm, and surrounded by noble people in thousands?” With each question, Rāma’s love, concern, and wisdom flowed toward Bharata, seeking assurance that all was well in the kingdom, and that Bharata was upholding the sacred responsibilities entrusted to him.