Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 115, Shloka 26
पादुकाभिषेकः
The Consecration of Rama’s Sandals and Bharata’s Trusteeship at Nandigrama
ततस्तु भरत शश्रीमानभिषिच्याऽऽर्यपादुके।तदधीनस्तदा राज्यं कारयामास सर्वदा।।।।
tatas tu bharataḥ śrīmān abhiṣicyārya-pāduke | tad-adhīnas tadā rājyaṃ kārayāmāsa sarvadā ||
Daraufhin verwaltete der ruhmreiche Bharata, nachdem er die edlen Sandalen geweiht hatte, das Reich fortan stets als einer, der ihnen ganz untergeordnet war.
You are always attached to your relations, firmly established in the welfare of your brothers and are pursuing a noble path. Who would not approve of this?
FAQs
Legitimacy and accountability in rule: Bharata governs only under Rama’s authority, modeling dharmic restraint in political power.
After installing the sandals as the emblem of kingship, Bharata continues governance as Rama’s representative.
Humility and fidelity to rightful sovereignty—Bharata’s refusal to appropriate the throne.