Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 1
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
तत श्शिरसि कृत्वा तु पादुके भरतस्तदा।आरुरोह रथं हृष्टः शत्रुघ्नेन समन्वितः।।।।
tataḥ śirasi kṛtvā tu pāduke bharatas tadā | ārurōha rathaṃ hṛṣṭaḥ śatrughnēna samanvitaḥ || 2.113.1 ||
তখন ভরত পাদুকাদ্বয় শিরে ধারণ করে, শত্রুঘ্নসহ, আনন্দিত হয়ে রথে আরোহণ করলেন।
Then Bharata accompanied by Satrughna, placing the sandals on his head in delight, boarded the chariot.
FAQs
Dharma is self-effacing service: Bharata accepts symbolic rulership only as stewardship under Rāma’s rightful authority.
Bharata departs from Rāma carrying the pādukās as a sacred emblem, returning to govern in Rāma’s name.
Humility and loyalty—placing the sandals on his head signals reverence and refusal to usurp what is not his by dharma.