Shloka 2.113.13
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च (The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya)
एवमुक्तो वसिष्ठेन राघवः प्राङ्मुखः स्थितः।पादुके ह्यधिरुह्यैते मम राज्याय वै ददौ।।।।
evam ukto vasiṣṭhena rāghavaḥ prāṅmukhaḥ sthitaḥ | pāduke hy adhiruhyaite mama rājyāya vai dadau ||
Thus addressed by Vasiṣṭha, Rāghava stood facing east; having placed his feet upon those sandals, he bestowed them upon me for the governance of the kingdom.
Thus addressed by Vasistha, Rama stood facing eastward wearing these sandals. and bestowed them on me for the sake of ruling the kingdom.
Legitimacy and restraint: authority is transferred as duty, not as desire—Bharata rules as trustee under Rāma’s rightful sovereignty.
Rāma ritually and publicly gives his sandals to Bharata as the emblem of kingship for administering Ayodhyā.
Rāma’s maryādā (propriety) and sense of responsibility toward the kingdom despite personal renunciation.