When the night had passed and the dawn shone bright, Rama’s brothers, surrounded by their friends, performed their morning ablutions and sacred recitations at the river Mandakini. Their rituals complete, they approached Rama. Together, they sat in silence; not a single word was spoken among them. But then, Bharata, surrounded by his companions, addressed Rama with deep feeling. He said, “My mother, now appeased, has bestowed the kingdom upon me; but I, in turn, give it to you. Enjoy the kingdom freely, without obstacle. This vast realm, like a dam broken by a mighty flood, cannot be held by anyone but you. Just as no one can match the speed of a horse or the flight of Garuda, so too am I unable to keep pace with your greatness, O king. One who is always supported by others lives easily, but it is difficult for one who depends on others for sustenance. “Consider this: a tree planted and nurtured by a man grows tall and strong, its trunk thick, becoming impossible for a short person to climb. Yet, if that tree flowers but bears no fruit, the one who cared for it finds no satisfaction in what he raised. This is the analogy, O mighty-armed one; understand its meaning. If you are truly chief among us, then do not rule over your servants. Let the foremost guilds and all the people see you, O great king, unconquerable by your enemies, shining in the kingdom like the blazing sun. Let the trumpeting elephants announce your procession, O descendant of Kakutstha, and let the women of the inner palace rejoice with undivided attention.” Hearing Bharata’s heartfelt words, the citizens and all those present approved, exclaiming, “Well spoken!” and they too entreated Rama to accept the kingdom. Observing the illustrious Bharata so afflicted and grieving, Rama, ever steadfast in self-control, sought to comfort him. He spoke gently, “A person does not act according to his own will; he is not his own master. From every direction, Death draws him on. All accumulations end in depletion; all heights end in a fall; every union ends in separation, and life itself ends in death. Just as ripe fruits have no fear except of falling, so too, for one who is born, there is no fear except of death. A house, though built with strong pillars, decays and collapses when old; so too do people, subject to age and death, decline. “The night that passes never returns, and the Yamuna, full of water, flows only toward the ocean. For all living beings, days and nights pass, swiftly diminishing their lifespans, just as the sun’s rays dry up water in summer. Grieve for yourself—why grieve for another? Whether one stays or goes, one’s lifespan diminishes all the same. Death walks with a person, sits with him, and, after a long journey, returns with him. “Wrinkles appear, hair turns white, and a man is worn down by old age—what can he accomplish then? People rejoice at sunrise and sunset, yet they do not realize their own lives are being shortened. They delight in each new season, but with every change, their lives are diminished. Just as two pieces of wood meet in the vast ocean and then part again when the time comes, so too do wives, sons, relatives, and friends come together and then inevitably separate. “No living being remains as they are; thus, there is no purpose in lamenting for the departed. It is as if someone standing by the road calls to a passing caravan, ‘I will come after you!’—such is the path of our ancestors and forefathers, a certain way; having reached it, why should one grieve, since there is no turning from it? As age declines and the current of life does not turn back, one should turn the mind toward happiness, for offspring are meant to enjoy happiness. “Our father, the lord of the earth, righteous and purified by all auspicious sacrifices and proper gifts, has gone to heaven. By supporting his servants, protecting his people, and giving wealth righteously, he has attained the third heaven. By auspicious deeds and sacrifices, King Dasharatha, our father, has reached heaven. Having performed many kinds of sacrifices, enjoyed abundant pleasures, and lived the fullest span of life, he has gone to the highest realm. “Having attained the highest joys and honored by the virtuous, our father now dwells in the world of Brahma, enjoying divine prosperity. He is not to be mourned. No wise person, of any kind, who hears and understands, ought to grieve in this way. These many sorrows, lamentations, and weeping should be avoided by the wise in all circumstances. “Therefore, be at ease and do not grieve; remain in the city. Thus you have been instructed by our father, best among those who command their senses and foremost among speakers. And where I too have been directed by that noble father, there indeed I shall carry out his command.” Thus, Rama spoke with wisdom and compassion, offering solace to Bharata and all who grieved, reminding them of the impermanence of life and the path laid down by their righteous father.