Bharata, weighed down by sorrow and longing for his brother Rama, continued to rule from Nandigrama. Though distressed, he remained steadfast, accompanied by his ministers and his army, living not as a prince but as a sage, clad in bark garments with matted hair. His heart was ever affectionate toward Rama, yearning for his return, and he faithfully upheld the vow he had made, obedient to his brother’s word. Having consecrated Rama’s sandals as a symbol of rightful authority, Bharata entrusted all governance to them. He resided in Nandigrama, administering the kingdom only under their command. Whenever any duty arose or a precious gift was brought, Bharata would first present it to the sandals, honoring them before performing any task. Thus, he governed always in the name and authority of Rama, through the revered sandals. With this, the one hundred and fifteenth sarga of the glorious Ayodhya Kāṇḍa concludes in the venerable Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. After Bharata’s departure, Rama remained in his hermitage at Citrakūṭa, observing with concern the unrest among the ascetics. He noticed that the ascetics who dwelled before his hermitage appeared anxious and uneasy, casting furtive glances and discussing quietly among themselves. Perceiving their agitation, Rama grew uneasy and, joining his palms, respectfully addressed the chief sage. “Revered one,” he asked, “I hope nothing in my past conduct has caused distress among the ascetics. Has my younger brother Lakṣmaṇa, through carelessness, acted wrongly? Has Sītā, devoted to serving you and attentive to me, perhaps behaved in a manner unbefitting her?” The sage, aged by years and asceticism, trembling as if from old age, replied to Rama with compassion. “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 demon here named Khara, brother of Ravana. He has uprooted all the ascetics of Janasthāna. He is bold, cruel, a devourer of men, arrogant and wicked, and cannot tolerate your presence. Since you have resided here, the demons have begun harassing the ascetics, appearing in hideous and terrifying forms, monstrous and deformed, displaying dreadful appearances. With vile and impure acts, they quickly attack other ascetics, standing before them in ignoble ways. In those hermitages, hiding themselves unnoticed, they delight in harassing the ascetics, causing them distress. “They steal ladles and vessels, extinguish sacred fires with water, and crush the water pots just as the sacrifice is about to begin. Because these wicked ones have defiled the hermitages, the sages wish to leave and urge me today to go to another place. Therefore, O Rama, before those evil ones inflict bodily harm upon the ascetics, we shall abandon this hermitage. There is a beautiful forest, rich in roots and fruits, not far from here; I, together with my followers, will again take refuge in our old hermitage. Khara, too, has previously acted unjustly toward you, dear one; if you are inclined, come with us. For one who is always uncertain about his family’s safety, O Raghava, even for the capable, dwelling here would be difficult today.” Though Rama wished to persuade the ascetic with further words, he could not restrain him. Having greeted, taken leave of, and reassured Rama, the leader of the hermitage departed, leaving the hermitage with his community. Rama, respectfully following the sage and his group for some distance, saluted the chief sage, and, with their full approval and instructions, returned to his own dwelling. Yet, Rama did not leave the hermitage, even for a moment, though it was deserted by the sages. The ascetics, steadfast in the ways of the seers, always followed Rama. Thus ends the one hundred sixteenth sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa in the holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. When the ascetics had departed, Rama reflected and, for many reasons, found that place no longer suitable for dwelling. “Here, Bharata saw me, and my mothers with the people of the city; my mind, remembering them, constantly grieves for them. Because the great-souled Bharata had set up his camp here, the ground is greatly trampled by the dung of horses and elephants.” Therefore, thinking it best to go elsewhere, Rama set out, accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. He, renowned for his virtue, reached the hermitage of the sage Atri and offered his respects. The venerable Atri received Rama as a son, personally arranging all hospitality, honoring them, and kindly comforting both Saumitri and the noble Sītā.