Steadfast in his resolve, Rama remained silent, his composure mirroring the stillness of an unwavering flame. Bharatha, with a voice imbued with affection and reverence, addressed his noble brother thus:
“O valiant Rama! You are a paragon of equanimity, standing indifferent to the fleeting tides of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, gain and loss. Who in the vast expanse of the universe can rival your steadfastness? Elders and scholars alike venerate you, ever prepared to offer their counsel. Your emotions remain balanced and untethered among the living and the departed, the virtuous and the vile, the righteous and the wicked. Your mind, untainted by attachment, mirrors the purity of a water droplet resting upon a lotus leaf. Where then is grief or sorrow for one such as you?
O perceptive soul, you discern with precision the myriad shades of human behavior. Not even the periphery of your thoughts is touched by despair. Pious Rama, your strength and power equate you with the gods. Truth is your guiding star, and your knowledge encompasses the vast tapestry of creation, sustenance, growth, and decay. Possessing such divine attributes, how can grief bind you?
When I was away from the kingdom, my mother, Kaikeyi, succumbed to a grievous act, which cast me as the unwitting sinner. Yet, I cannot condemn her, for fear of divine retribution. Forgive her, Rama, and grace me by accepting the crown of our kingdom. I am the son of the sacred Dasaratha; how can I dishonor his memory by blaming my mother? Dasaratha, our father, my teacher, and a godlike protector, is no more. Out of reverence, I refrain from reproach in this assembly.
O Rama, knower of dharma, tell me: Can one forsake the path of virtue, embracing sin merely to appease a woman? It is said that extraordinary thoughts cloud the mind as the end of life approaches. My father, whether in anger, ignorance, or recklessness, crossed the bounds of righteousness in granting Kaikeyi’s demands. This grievous act must be reversed by you, the rightful heir to our dynasty. A true son honors his father’s righteous actions and rectifies the consequences of his misjudgments. By doing so, you will embody the virtues of a gentle and dutiful son.
Every righteous mind accuses me; may their censure never touch you. Save Kaikeyi, our father, our kin, and the citizens of Ayodhya. What place has the forest in the life of a king? How do matted hair and ascetic garments suit the regal code? O wise Rama, embrace the duty of kingship and accept the coronation. Forsaking the throne, which yields tangible results, for the uncertainties of ascetic life is neither prudent nor just to the land of your birth. If you seek the fruits of arduous toil, take up the reins of governance and rule with impartiality, ensuring justice for all.
O sovereign of knowledge, are you unaware that the householder’s stage is the most esteemed among the four traditional stages of life? By birth, education, and stature, I am but a youth and no match for you. Pray, adorn the throne, for I am unworthy. Without you, my life is void of purpose. Man of understanding, assume the mantle of kingship as the rightful heir of Dasaratha. Rule without hindrance, guided by the wisdom of ministers, scholars, and the venerable Vasishtha. Like Indra, triumphant over all realms, return to Ayodhya with splendor and grandeur.
The three sacred debts of humanity—to gods, forefathers, and sages—must be fulfilled through proper rituals. By vanquishing foes, comforting allies, and assuring the welfare of subjects, rule Ayodhya. Noble Rama, your coronation will diminish the strength of your enemies and fortify your allies. O sacred brother, absolve my mother from the curse of the masses and save our father from sin. Bowing my head, I beseech you to sustain us as Lord Shiva sustains all beings.
If you deny my plea, I shall renounce the kingdom and join you in ascetic life. Ayodhya holds no value without you.”
Rama, unyielding in his resolve, gently yet firmly denied Bharatha’s entreaty, choosing to honor his father’s decree. His unwavering mettle mesmerized the assembly. Though concerned, they marveled at his indomitable spirit, which treated triumph and defeat with equal indifference. At this poignant juncture, Vedic scholars and mothers prayed for a favorable resolution.
Thus unfolded a moment of delicate balance, as Bharatha articulated the tenets of tradition, sin, and rectification, invoking the regal code. Yet, Rama’s resolve remained steadfast, orchestrating the destiny of the dynasty with divine precision. Many classical events were destined to unfold in the uncharted wilderness of Dandakaranya, guided by Rama’s unwavering adherence to dharma.
