With a heavy heart, Bharata addressed his assembled kin and ministers, declaring, “I will go to Nandigrāma; today I bid you all farewell. There, I will endure all this sorrow without Rāghava.” He spoke of the king having departed for heaven, and his teacher dwelling in the forest. Bharata resolved to wait for Rāma’s return, for Rāma alone was worthy to rule as the great and renowned king. Hearing these noble words from the great-souled Bharata, all the ministers and the revered priest Vasiṣṭha responded. They praised Bharata, saying, “What you have spoken is indeed praiseworthy; your words, born of brotherly affection, are fitting for you. Who would not approve of you, ever devoted to your kin, steadfast in love for your brother, and following the noble path?” Their approval pleased Bharata, and he turned to his charioteer, instructing him to yoke the chariot. With a joyful countenance, Bharata respectfully greeted all his mothers. The illustrious prince then ascended the chariot, accompanied by Shatrughna. Both brothers, filled with supreme delight, set out together on the swift chariot, surrounded by ministers and priests. Ahead of them, the elders led by Vasiṣṭha, along with all the Brahmins, proceeded eastward toward Nandigrāma. The army, though uninvited, crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots, followed Bharata, accompanied by the city dwellers. Bharata, righteous and affectionate toward his brothers, traveled swiftly to Nandigrāma, bearing the revered sandals upon his head as he stood in the chariot. Upon arriving, Bharata quickly entered Nandigrāma, dismounted, and addressed his elders: “This kingdom has been given to me by my brother, as if by renunciation. These sandals, adorned with gold, bear the burden of its welfare.” Afflicted by sorrow, Bharata placed the sandals of renunciation upon his head and spoke to the entire assembly of citizens: “Quickly hold the umbrella over these revered sandals. By them, and by my teacher, righteousness abides in the kingdom. My brother has entrusted this renunciation to me out of friendship; I will preserve it until Raghava returns. When I have quickly restored them to Raghava, I will behold the feet of Rama together with the sandals. Then, relieved of my burden, reunited with Raghava, I will submit the kingdom to my teacher and devote myself to the service of my elders. Having given the sandals of renunciation to Raghava, and the kingdom and Ayodhya, I will become purified of sin. When Kakutstha is anointed and the people are joyful and delighted, my happiness and fame will be four times greater than from the kingdom.” Thus lamenting and distressed, the illustrious Bharata ruled in Nandigrāma, sorrowful, together with his ministers. He took up bark garments and matted hair, dressing as a sage, and dwelled in Nandigrāma with his army. Bharata remained ever affectionate toward his brother, longing for Rama’s return, obedient to Rama’s word, and steadfast in his vow. Having consecrated the sandals, Bharata resided in Nandigrāma, entrusting all governance to them. He always ruled the kingdom under the authority of the revered sandals. Whenever any duty arose or a precious gift was brought, Bharata first presented it to the sandals and then performed the task properly. Thus ends the one hundred and fifteenth sarga of the glorious Ayodhya Kāṇḍa in the venerable, ancient poem, the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. After Bharata’s departure, Rāma remained in the hermitage and observed with concern and curiosity the agitation among the ascetics. He noticed the ascetics, devoted to Rāma and dwelling before Citrakūṭa, appearing anxious. With their eyes and furrowed brows, they pointed at Rāma suspiciously and quietly discussed matters among themselves. Perceiving their anxiety, Rāma became uneasy. Joining his palms, he addressed the chief sage: “Revered one, I hope nothing from my past conduct appears improper, causing the ascetics to be disturbed. I hope my younger brother Lakṣmaṇa has not, through carelessness, acted in a way unbefitting himself, as seen by the sages. I hope Sītā, who is devoted to serving you and attentive to me, has not, through negligence, behaved in a manner unsuitable for her.” The sage, aged by years and asceticism, trembling as if from old age, spoke to Rāma, who was compassionate toward all beings: “How could there be any misconduct by Vaidehī, who possesses noble character and delights in virtue, especially among ascetics, dear one? This concern among the ascetics arises solely because of you; frightened by the demons, they converse among themselves. There is a certain demon here named Khara, brother of Rāvaṇa, who has uprooted all the ascetics dwelling in Janasthāna. He is bold, cruel, a devourer of men, arrogant and wicked, and, dear one, he cannot tolerate you. Since the time you have resided in this hermitage, the demons have begun to harass the ascetics.