With deep humility and earnestness, Bharata bowed before Rāma and implored him, “Protect Kaikeyī, myself, our father, our friends and relatives, and all the people of the city and countryside—let all this be safeguarded by you. What connection is there between the forest and the warrior class, between matted locks and ruling? You ought not to perform such a disrupted act, abandoning your duty as a kshatriya. The first and foremost duty of a kshatriya, O greatly wise one, is consecration as king, for by this alone can the protection of the people be accomplished. Who, abandoning what is certain and present, would pursue a doubtful and uncertain future dharma, especially being a kshatriya or his kin? But if you wish to practice a dharma that is difficult and full of hardship, then, by upholding dharma, protect the four varnas and accept that hardship within the realm. Among the four stages of life, householdership is declared by those who know dharma to be the highest—how could you rightly abandon that? By learning, by position, and by birth, I am indeed your junior; so how could I govern the land while you remain? I am but a child, lacking intellect and qualities, and inferior in position; deprived of you, I am unable to maintain the kingdom. O knower of dharma, rule this entire, undisturbed, ancestral kingdom, free from thorns, together with your kinsmen. Let all the ministers, along with the priests and Vasiṣṭha, skilled in mantras, anoint you as king right here. Once you are consecrated by us, go forth to govern Ayodhyā, having conquered the worlds with your might, like Indra with the Maruts. By repaying the three debts, burning away the wicked, and gratifying friends with their desires, you alone should rule over me here. Today, may your true friends rejoice at your consecration, and may your ill-wishers, filled with fear, flee in all ten directions. Wipe away the reproach upon my mother and myself, O best of men, and today protect our father there from sin. With my head bowed, I beg you: show compassion to me and to all our relatives, as the great Lord does to all beings. But if, having set this aside, you still choose to go to the forest, then I too will go with you.” Thus, though Bharata, tormented and pleading with bowed head, entreated him, steadfast Rāma did not waver, remaining firm in his father’s command. Seeing such wondrous steadfastness in Rāghava, the people, though sorrowful that he would not return to Ayodhyā, felt joy at his unwavering resolve. Then the priests, the beloveds of the city elders, and the mothers, their eyes filled with tears, praised Bharata as he spoke thus, and together entreated Rāma. Thus ended that sarga in the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa. Again, as Bharata spoke thus, the illustrious elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa, honored among his kin, replied to him, “What you have said is fitting, for you are indeed the son of Daśaratha and the noble Kaikeyī, O best among kings. Long ago, brother, our father, when marrying your mother, heard from your maternal grandfather of the unparalleled royal dowry. In the battle between gods and demons, your mother’s father, the king, delighted, granted her a boon, being well-pleased. Then, having received that promise, your renowned mother, O best of men, asked the king for two boons. She requested your kingship, O tiger among men, and my exile; and the king then granted her those two boons as she desired. By my father’s command, O best of men, I too was bound to dwell in the forest for fourteen years, as a giver of boons. Thus I have come to this lonely forest, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, steadfast in truth and in my father’s word. You too, O king among men, should likewise swiftly fulfill the command of our truthful father by accepting the consecration. Free the king, our lord, from his debts on my account, O Bharata, knower of righteousness, and honor our father and mother. Long ago, O dear one, it is heard that a celebrated hymn was sung by Gaya, the sacrificer, for his father at Gaya itself. Because a son saves his father from the hell called Put, therefore he is called 'putra,' since he protects his father or leads him. Many sons should be begotten, virtuous and learned; for among them, even if many are gathered, perhaps one will go to Gaya. Thus, all royal sages have believed, O delight of the kings; therefore, O best of men, save your father from hell, O lord. Go to Ayodhyā, Bharata, win the favor of the people, together with Shatrughna, O hero, and with all the twice-born as well. I too shall enter the Dandaka forest without delay, accompanied by these two—Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa, O king. You, Bharata, become king yourself over men; I shall be king of the forest-dwellers and the wild beasts. Go today, rejoicing, to the great city; I too, rejoicing, shall enter Dandaka. May the rays of the sun, O Bharata, make your head cool with shade during the rainy season; I too shall happily rest in the deep shade of these forest trees. Shatrughna, who is very skilled, will be your companion; Saumitri is known to me as my chief friend. We four excellent sons, O king, will follow the path of truth—do not grieve, Bharata.” Thus ended that sarga in the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient epic, the holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki.