Ambarīṣa’s son was Nahuṣa, who was unwavering in truth and valor. From Nahuṣa came Nābhāga, a king of supreme righteousness. Nābhāga had two sons, Aja and Suvrata, and Aja’s son was the virtuous king Daśaratha. You, Rāma, are Daśaratha’s eldest and heir, renowned throughout the land. Therefore, accept your rightful kingdom and care for the people, O king. Among all the Ikṣvākus, it has always been the eldest who ascends the throne; when there is an elder, the younger son is never consecrated as king. Do not violate the ancient law of the Raghus and your own lineage today. Rule the earth, rich with jewels and vast in its domains, just as your illustrious ancestors did. Thus concluded the one hundred and tenth chapter of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the venerable Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. Then Vasiṣṭha, the royal priest, having spoken to Rāma, addressed him again with words filled with righteousness. “For one born in this world, there are three elders: the teacher, the father, and the mother, O descendant of Kakutstha. The father gives birth to the man, O best of men; the teacher imparts wisdom, and thus he is called ‘guru.’ I am the teacher of your father and of you as well, O destroyer of foes. By following my words, you will not stray from the path of virtue. “In these assemblies, among these groups and the twice-born, O dear one, by adhering to righteousness, one remains steadfast on the virtuous path. One should never disregard the words of an aged and righteous mother; by obeying her command, one does not depart from the way of the virtuous. By fulfilling the request of Bharata, who pleads before you, O Rāghava, you do not depart from your own true self, you who are devoted to truth and righteousness.” Thus addressed sweetly by his teacher, Rāma responded to the venerable Vasiṣṭha: “Whatever parents do for their child can never truly be repaid; the debt to mother and father is beyond compensation. By giving as much as one is able, by bathing and clothing them, by always speaking kindly, and by nurturing, one repays them as best as possible. My father is Daśaratha, the king and my progenitor. Whatever command of his I have received, I will never disregard.” When Rāma had spoken thus, Bharata, noble-hearted and deeply distressed, immediately addressed his charioteer: “Quickly spread out kuśa grass here on the ground; I will sit facing my noble brother until he is pleased with me. Without food, without light, deprived of wealth like a twice-born in penance, I will lie before his shelter until he returns.” Seeing Rāma, Sumitra, also distressed, placed the kuśa mat on the ground and lay upon it himself. Rāma, the most illustrious royal sage, addressed Bharata: “Why, O Bharata, do you wish to sit beside me as I do this? A brāhmaṇa may sit in protest to restrain men, but for those who have been anointed, there is no prescribed sitting in protest. Rise up, O tiger among men, abandon this harsh vow; swiftly return to Ayodhyā, the foremost city, O Rāghava.” But Bharata remained seated, looking all around at the townspeople and countryfolk, and said, “Why do you not instruct my noble brother?” The townspeople and countryfolk replied to the great-souled Bharata, “We recognize Kakutstha; Rāghava speaks rightly. He, too, the greatly fortunate, abides by his father’s command; therefore, we are not able to turn him aside directly.” Hearing their words, Rāma spoke: “Listen to the words of friends who see with the eye of righteousness. Having heard both sides fully and rightly, Rāghava, arise, O mighty-armed one, and touch the water along with me.” Then, having risen and touched the water, Bharata spoke to all: “Let the assembly, the counselors, and the guilds listen to me. I do not ask my father for the kingdom, nor do I command my mother; I do not compel the noble Rāghava, knower of the highest dharma. If it is absolutely necessary to fulfill my father’s command, then I myself will dwell in the forest for fourteen years.” Rāma, astonished by his brother’s truthful words, looked upon the citizens and countryfolk and spoke: “What was promised, pledged, and granted by my living father cannot be undone by either myself or Bharata. I must not act contrary to dharma, nor is forest-dwelling to be despised by me; what was rightly spoken by Kaikeyī and done by my father was well done. I know Bharata to be patient and one who honors elders; in this matter, all is well with this great soul, steadfast in truth. When I return from the forest with this righteous brother, I shall, together with him, become the foremost lord of the earth. The king, at Kaikeyī’s urging, was bound by my promise; let Bharata free that great king, our father, from falsehood.” Thus ended the one hundred and eleventh sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. The assembled great sages, witnessing the meeting of the two brothers—whose energy was beyond compare—were filled with amazement, and the hair on their bodies stood on end.