Rama, the righteous prince, stood astonished by the sincerity and devotion in his brother Bharata’s words. Turning his gaze upon the gathered citizens and countryfolk, Rama addressed them with a calm and resolute voice. “The promise that my living father made, the pledge he granted—these cannot be undone, neither by me nor by Bharata,” he declared. “I must not act against dharma. Exile to the forest is not something I despise; what Kaikeyi spoke and what my father did were, in truth, rightly done.” He continued, “I know Bharata to be patient and ever respectful to elders; in this matter, all is well with this great soul, steadfast in truth. When I return from the forest with this righteous brother, together we shall become the foremost lords of the earth. The king, bound by my promise at Kaikeyi’s urging, acted as he must. Let Bharata, then, free our father from the taint of falsehood.” As Rama finished speaking, the one hundred and eleventh sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa came to its close. At that moment, the assembled sages—great souls whose energy was beyond compare—were filled with wonder at the meeting of the two brothers; their hair stood on end in awe. Though invisible to ordinary eyes, groups of seers and perfected sages praised the two sons of Kakutstha. “Blessed is he whose two sons are wise in dharma and mighty in righteousness,” they said. “Hearing their noble conversation, we all long for such sons.” Eager for the destruction of the ten-headed Rāvaṇa, the seers quickly gathered 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 truly honor your father. We wish that Rāma may always be free of any debt to his father. Because of Kaikeyi, Daśaratha has attained heaven, freed from all debt.” Having spoken thus, the Gandharvas, great sages, and royal sages departed for their own abodes. Rama, delighted by these auspicious words, honored the sages with a joyful countenance. Bharata, his limbs weakened by emotion, his hands joined and his voice trembling, again addressed Rama: “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. All our kinsmen, warriors, friends, and companions 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.” Having spoken thus, Bharata fell at his brother’s feet, earnestly beseeching Rama. Rama, ever kind, lifted Bharata and placed him on his lap, his eyes like lotus petals and his voice as melodious as a swan’s. “This resolve of yours, humble and sincere, is your own. Dear one, you are indeed capable of protecting even the earth. With ministers, friends, and wise counselors, deliberate on all matters and accomplish even the greatest tasks. Fortune may depart from the moon, the Himalaya may abandon its snow, or the ocean may cross its shore, but I will not break my father’s promise. Whether out of desire or greed, this was done for you by mother; do not dwell on it in your mind, but behave as one should toward a mother.” As Rama spoke, Bharata addressed him, his radiance like the sun, his appearance gentle as the new moon: “Ascend, O noble one, with your feet, these sandals adorned with gold; for these will ensure the welfare of all the people.” Rama, the tiger among men, stepped onto the sandals and then descended, handing them to Bharata, the great-souled and radiant. Bharata bowed to the sandals and spoke: “For fourteen years, I will wear matted hair and bark garments. O descendant of Raghu, living outside the city, subsisting on fruits and roots, I will await your return, O hero. Entrusting the rule of the kingdom to your sandals, O subduer of foes, when the fourteenth year is complete, O best of Raghu’s line, if I do not see you, I will enter the fire.” Rama agreed, embracing Bharata respectfully and also embracing Shatrughna. Then he spoke to Bharata: “Protect your mother Kaikeyi; do not be angry with her. You are bound by an oath from me and from Sita, O best of the Raghu lineage.” With eyes filled with tears, Rama released his brother. Bharata, powerful and righteous, worshipped the well-adorned sandals, circumambulated Rama, and placed the sandals upon his own head. In due order, he greeted the elders, ministers, his brothers, and the people, then dismissed them, steadfast in his duty like the immovable Himalaya. The mothers, their throats choked with tears, could not speak to him out of sorrow. Yet Bharata, after respectfully saluting all his mothers, entered his own hut, weeping. Thus ended the one hundred and twelfth sarga of the holy Rāmāyaṇa. Then, with resolve, Bharata placed the sandals on his head, ascended his chariot, and, delighted, set forth accompanied by Shatrughna.