Shloka 2.115.12
पादुकाभिषेकः — The Consecration of Rama’s Sandals and Bharata’s Trusteeship at Nandigrama
रथस्थः स तु धर्मात्मा भरतो भ्रातृवत्सलः।नन्दिग्रामं ययौ तूर्णं शिरस्यादाय पादुके।।।।
rathasthaḥ sa tu dharmātmā bharato bhrātṛvatsalaḥ | nandigrāmaṃ yayau tūrṇaṃ śirasy ādāya pāduke || 2.115.12 ||
Bharata—righteous and devoted to his brother—rode in his chariot swiftly to Nandigrāma, bearing Rāma’s sandals upon his head.
Righteous Bharata who was deeply attached to his brother proceeded speedily towards Nandigrama on the chariot bearing the sandals of Rama on his head.
Legitimate authority is grounded in dharma and truth: Bharata refuses personal ambition and honours Rāma’s rightful kingship by treating the sandals as the emblem of sovereign duty.
Bharata travels quickly to Nandigrāma, carrying Rāma’s sandals as a sacred symbol of rulership and service.
Humility and fraternal devotion (bhrātṛvatsalatā): Bharata places himself beneath Rāma’s authority and acts as a trustee, not a usurper.