Shloka 2.115.20

पादुकाभिषेकः — The Consecration of Rama’s Sandals and Bharata’s Trusteeship at Nandigrama

Devanagari script

राघवाय च सन्यासं दत्त्वेमे वरपादुके।राज्यं चेदमयोध्यां च धूतपापो भवामि च।।।।

Transliteration

rāghavāya ca sannyāsaṃ dattveme varapāduke | rājyaṃ cedam ayodhyāṃ ca dhūtapāpo bhavāmi ca ||

Translation

When I restore to Rāghava this entrusted charge—these excellent sandals, this kingdom, and this city of Ayodhyā—then I shall be free of sin.

Context

Restoring the sacred sandals, the kingdom and this city of Ayodhya held as a trust by me, I shall be cleansed of the sin.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rama (Rāghava)
• pādukā (sandals)
• Ayodhyā
• kingdom

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Moral purification through rightful restitution: Bharata sees innocence not in claiming power but in returning it intact to its rightful holder.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata declares that only after handing back the sandals, the kingdom, and Ayodhyā to Rama will he feel absolved of any taint connected with the succession crisis.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Conscientiousness: he is sensitive to moral blame and seeks cleansing through correct action, not through excuses.