When the wise Vasiṣṭha, revered teacher and priest, spoke gently to Rāma, he urged him to grant Bharata’s earnest request. “By fulfilling Bharata’s plea, O Rāghava,” he said, “you remain true to yourself, you who are ever devoted to truth and righteousness.” Hearing these sweet words from his teacher, Rāma, who was seated among the assembly, replied with respect to Vasiṣṭha, the best among men. He spoke thoughtfully: “No matter what a child does, he can never fully repay his parents for all they have done. The debt owed to one’s mother and father is beyond compensation. Still, by giving to them as much as one can, by bathing and clothing them, by speaking kindly and by nurturing them always, a son does his best to repay them. My father, Daśaratha, is my king and progenitor. Whatever command he gave me, I will never disregard.” As Rāma finished speaking, Bharata—noble-hearted and overcome with distress—turned at once to his charioteer. “Quickly spread out kuśa grass for me here on the ground,” he commanded. “I will sit, facing my noble brother, until he is pleased with me. I will take no food, seek no comfort, and relinquish all wealth, like a twice-born in penance. I will lie before his shelter until he returns.” Seeing Bharata’s resolve, Sumitra, also distressed, placed a kuśa mat on the ground and laid himself upon it. Rāma, the illustrious royal sage, addressed Bharata with gentle firmness: “Why, O Bharata, do you wish to sit beside me in this way? 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.” Yet Bharata, refusing to rise, looked all around at the townspeople and countryfolk and called out, “Why do you not instruct my noble brother?” The people replied to Bharata with respect: “We recognize Kakutstha; Rāghava speaks rightly. He, too, abides by his father’s command. Therefore, we are unable to turn him aside from his resolution.” Hearing their words, Rāma addressed Bharata: “Listen to the words of friends who see with the eye of righteousness. Having heard both sides fully and rightly, arise, O mighty-armed one, and touch the water with me.” Bharata rose and, after touching the water in ritual, spoke to the assembly, counselors, and guilds: “Let all present listen to me. I do not ask my father for the kingdom, nor do I command my mother. I do not permit the noble Rāghava, knower of the highest dharma, to go. 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 truthfulness, looked upon the citizens and countryfolk and spoke: “What was promised, pledged, and granted by my living father cannot be undone by either me or Bharata. I must not act contrary to dharma, nor do I despise forest-dwelling. 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; all is well with this great soul, steadfast in truth. When I return from the forest with this righteous brother, I shall become, together with him, the foremost lord of the earth. The king, bound by my promise at Kaikeyī’s urging, must be freed from falsehood. Let Bharata release our father from this debt.” At this moment, the assembled great sages, marveling at the meeting of the two brothers whose energy was unmatched, felt their hair stand on end in wonder. The hosts of seers and perfected sages, though unseen, praised the two great-souled sons of Kakutstha. “Blessed is the one whose two sons are both wise in dharma and mighty in righteousness,” they said. “Hearing their conversation, we all long for such sons.” Then, eager for the destruction of the ten-headed Rāvaṇa, the seers gathered quickly and spoke to Bharata, the tiger among kings: “Born in a noble line, great in wisdom, conduct, and fame, you should accept Rāma’s words if you regard your father. We wish that Rāma may always be free of debt to his father; and because of Kaikeyī, Daśaratha has attained heaven, being free from all debts.” Having spoken, the Gandharvas, great sages, and royal sages departed each to their own abode. Rāma, delighted by their auspicious words, honored the sages with a joyful face. Bharata, his limbs weakened, with hands joined and voice trembling, spoke once more to Rāghava: “Considering royal duty and the tradition of our lineage, you ought to fulfill the request of my mother and myself, O Kakutstha. I alone am not able to protect this vast kingdom, nor to please the citizens and countryfolk who are devoted. Our kinsmen, warriors, friends, and companions all look to you alone, as farmers look to the raincloud. O wise one, establish and assume this kingdom; you are capable, O Kakutstha, of protecting the people.” Thus unfolded the heartfelt and noble exchange between the brothers, witnessed by sages, citizens, and the very denizens of heaven, each upholding dharma in their own steadfast way.