Kaushalya wept to see her sons and Janaka’s daughter living in such a poor hut, discarding the comforts of the palace. Rama, seeing Bharata also dressed as an ascetic, asked him why he had not done the duty of a king. Bharata’s nobility shone like the sun and everyone now knew that he was not responsible for Kaikeyi’s greed. He with his both palms joined in reverence told Rama that they had all come to crown him king. But Rama was firm about upholding his father’s promise. He asked his brothers to help him fulfil that promise. Sage Vasishtha’s wisdom came to their help. He advised that Bharata should rule as Rama’s deputy. Finally, Bharata agreed, if Rama would give him his sandals. Carrying these on his head, Bharata returned to install them as representative of Rama the King. He built a hut in Nandigrama, where he lived an ascetic life for fourteen years, ruling on behalf of Sri Rama.
Rama’s Sandals
