As Bharata stood before Rāma, his heart heavy with concern, he spoke earnestly, reminding his elder brother of the grave consequences that would follow if Rāma did not return to Ayodhyā. Bharata explained that when a son carries out an act that leads to his father’s downfall, the blame rests upon the son as well. He implored Rāma to be a true son, not the agent of their father’s misfortune, for wise men in the world do not approve of one who follows through with a wrongful deed. Bharata pleaded that Rāma should protect Kaikeyi, himself, their father, friends and relatives, and all the people of the city and countryside. He urged Rāma to safeguard all of them, for what connection was there, he asked, between the forest and the warrior class, between matted locks and ruling? Such a disrupted act was not fitting for Rāma. He reminded Rāma that the foremost duty of a kshatriya is consecration, by which the protection of the people is accomplished. Bharata questioned who, abandoning what was certain and present, would pursue a doubtful and uncertain future dharma, being a kshatriya or his kin. If Rāma wished to practice a dharma that was difficult and full of hardship, then, by upholding dharma, he should protect the four varnas and accept that hardship. Bharata spoke of the four stages of life, saying that householdership is declared by the knowers of dharma to be the highest. How could Rāma rightly abandon that? Bharata confessed his own limitations: by learning, by position, and by birth, he was indeed Rāma’s junior. How could he govern the land while Rāma remained? He was but a child, lacking intellect and qualities, inferior in position, and deprived of Rāma, he could not maintain the kingdom. Bharata urged Rāma to rule the entire, undisturbed, ancestral kingdom, free from thorns, in accordance with his own dharma, together with their kinsmen. He suggested that all the ministers, along with the priests and Vasiṣṭha, skilled in mantras, should anoint Rāma as king right there. Once consecrated, Rāma could govern Ayodhyā, conquering the worlds with his might, like Indra with the Maruts. Bharata asked Rāma to repay the three debts, burn away the wicked, gratify friends with desires, and rule over him. He wished that Rāma’s true friends would rejoice at his consecration, and that ill-wishers, filled with fear, would flee in all directions. He begged Rāma to wipe away the reproach upon his mother and himself, and to protect their father from sin. With his head bowed, Bharata pleaded for compassion for himself and all their relatives, as the great Lord shows compassion to all beings. But if Rāma still chose to go to the forest, Bharata declared that he too would go with him. Despite Bharata’s heartfelt entreaties, Rāma remained steadfast, firm in his father’s command, and did not resolve to return. The people, witnessing Rāma’s unwavering resolve, felt both sorrow that he would not return to Ayodhyā and joy at his wondrous steadfastness. The priests, beloved city elders, and the mothers, their eyes filled with tears, praised Bharata for his words and together entreated Rāma. Thus ended the one hundred and sixth sarga in the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. Once again, as Bharata spoke, Rāma, the illustrious elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa, honored among his kin, replied to him. Rāma acknowledged that Bharata’s words were fitting, for he was indeed the son of Daśaratha and the noble Kaikeyī, the best among kings. Rāma recalled that long ago, their father, upon marrying Kaikeyī, had heard from her father of the unparalleled royal dowry. In the battle between gods and demons, Kaikeyī’s father, the king, delighted, granted her a boon, being well-pleased. Having received that promise, Kaikeyī then asked the king for two boons: Bharata’s kingship and Rāma’s exile. The king granted her those boons as she desired. By their father’s command, Rāma was bound to dwell in the forest for fourteen years, as a giver of boons. Thus, he had come to the lonely forest, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, steadfast in truth and in his father’s word. Rāma urged Bharata to swiftly fulfill their truthful father’s command by accepting the consecration. He asked Bharata to free their father from his debts on Rāma’s account, honor their father and mother, and reminded him of the celebrated hymn sung by Gaya, the sacrificer, for his father at Gaya itself. Because a son saves his father from the hell called Put, he is called 'putra,' since he protects or leads his father. Many sons should be begotten, virtuous and learned, for among them, perhaps one will go to Gaya. All royal sages have believed this, and so Rāma asked Bharata, the delight of the kings, to save their father from hell. Rāma urged Bharata to return to Ayodhya, win the favor of the people, together with Shatrughna and all the twice-born. Rāma himself would enter the Dandaka forest without delay, accompanied by Vaidehi and Lakṣmaṇa. He declared that Bharata should become king over men, while he himself would be king of the forest-dwellers and wild beasts. Bharata should go rejoicing to the great city, and Rāma too, rejoicing, would enter Dandaka. Rāma wished that the sun’s rays would make Bharata’s head cool with shade during the rainy season, while he himself would happily rest in the deep shade of the forest trees. Thus, the brothers, bound by duty and love, spoke their hearts, each upholding their dharma, as the story of the Rāmāyaṇa unfolded.