As Bharata stood before his elder brother Rāma, a gathering of seers—yearning for the destruction of the ten-headed Rāvaṇa—assembled swiftly. With great urgency, they addressed Bharata, who was renowned as a tiger among kings. They spoke with reverence, saying, “You are born in a noble lineage, celebrated for your wisdom, conduct, and fame. If you honor your father, you should accept Rāma’s words.” The sages continued, “It is our wish that Rāma remain ever free of any debt to his father. Due to Kaikeyī’s actions, Daśaratha has attained heaven, freed from all obligations.” Having offered their counsel, the Gandharvas, great sages, and royal sages departed, each returning to their own realms. Rāma, whose presence radiated auspiciousness, was delighted by these blessed words. With a joyful countenance, he honored the sages before they left. Meanwhile, Bharata, his strength ebbing and his voice trembling, joined his hands in supplication and spoke again to Rāma: “O Raghava, considering the duties of royalty and the traditions of our house, you ought to fulfill the request of my mother and myself. I alone am not capable of protecting this vast kingdom, nor of satisfying the citizens and countryfolk who are so devoted.” He continued earnestly, “Our kinsmen, warriors, friends, and companions all look to you alone for guidance, just as farmers look to the nourishing raincloud. O wise one, you must establish and assume the kingdom, for you alone, O Kakutstha, are able to protect the people.” Having spoken thus, Bharata fell at his brother’s feet, pleading sincerely. Rāma, ever gentle, lifted Bharata and placed him upon his lap. With eyes like lotus petals and a voice as sweet as a swan’s song, Rāma spoke kindly: “This resolve of yours is truly your own, born of humility. You are indeed capable, dear brother, of protecting even the earth itself. With ministers, friends, and wise counselors, consult on all matters and accomplish even the greatest tasks.” Rāma then declared, “Fortune may depart from the moon, the Himalaya may lose its snow, or the ocean may cross its shore, but I will not break the promise made to our father. Whether out of desire or greed, this was done for you by our mother. Do not dwell on it, but behave towards her as a son should toward his mother.” As Rāma spoke these words, Bharata addressed him, the son of Kausalya, who shone with the radiance of the sun and the gentle beauty of the new moon. “O noble one, ascend with your feet these sandals adorned with gold. Let these be the symbol of your rule and ensure the welfare of all the people.” Rāma, the tiger among men, then stepped onto the sandals and descended from them, handing them to Bharata, whose soul was great and radiant. Bharata, bowing deeply to the sandals, vowed to Rāma, “For fourteen years, I will wear matted hair and bark garments. O descendant of Raghu, I will dwell outside the city, living on fruits and roots, awaiting your return, O hero. Entrusting the rule of the kingdom to your sandals, O subduer of foes, if, at the end of the fourteenth year, I do not see you, I will enter the fire.” Having agreed, Rāma embraced Bharata with respect, and also embraced Shatrughna. He then spoke gently to Bharata, “Protect your mother Kaikeyī; do not harbor anger towards her. You are bound by an oath from me and from Sītā, O best of the Raghu line.” With tears filling his eyes, Rāma released his brother from his embrace. Bharata, strong and virtuous, then worshipped the well-adorned sandals, circumambulated Rāma, and placed the sandals upon his own head. In proper order, after greeting the people, elders, ministers, and his brothers, he dismissed them all, steadfast in his duty like the immovable Himalaya. The mothers, overcome with sorrow and their voices choked with tears, could not speak to him. Bharata, after respectfully saluting all his mothers, entered his own hut, weeping. Thus concludes the one hundred and twelfth sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. Then, with the sandals placed upon his head, Bharata ascended his chariot, accompanied by Shatrughna and filled with a quiet delight. The revered sages—Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and Jābāli—along with all the honored ministers, led the way. Their procession moved eastward, skirting the beautiful Mandākinī river and circumambulating the great mountain Chitrakūṭa. As they journeyed, Bharata and his army beheld thousands of delightful minerals and wondrous sights along the path. Not far from Chitrakūṭa, Bharata saw the hermitage where the sage Bharadvāja resided. Upon arrival, the wise Bharata descended from his chariot and bowed deeply at the sage’s feet. Bharadvāja, delighted, greeted him: “O dear one, has your task been accomplished? Have you met with Rāma?” To this, Bharata, ever devoted to his brother, replied, “Though both his teacher and I urged him, steadfast and greatly pleased, Rāghava spoke to Vasiṣṭha, ‘I will uphold my father’s promise exactly as it was made—for fourteen years, as my father vowed.’” Thus addressed, the highly wise Vasiṣṭha, skillful in speech, responded to Rāghava with a great discourse.