Shloka 1.1.37

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis (Narada’s Summary to Valmiki)

Devanagari script

पादुके चास्य राज्याय न्यासं दत्वा पुन:पुन: ।निवर्तयामास ततो भरतं भरताग्रज: ।।।।

Transliteration

pāduke cāsya rājyāya nyāsaṃ datvā punaḥ punaḥ |

nivartayāmāsa tato bharataṃ bharatāgrajaḥ ||

Translation

Then Rāma, Bharata’s elder brother, gave him his sandals as a sacred trust and token of royal authority for governance, and again and again urged Bharata to return to the capital.

Context

Having handed over his sandals to Bharata as symbol of authority for ruling the kingdom, Rama persuaded him again and again to return to the capital.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Pādukā (Rāma’s sandals)

FAQs

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

Authority as trust (nyāsa): governance is treated as stewardship under dharma, not personal possession; the sandals symbolize rule exercised on behalf of the rightful king.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma refuses the throne but provides Bharata a symbol of legitimacy—his sandals—so Bharata can administer the kingdom without violating dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s fairness and responsibility: he safeguards political order while remaining faithful to his vow and exile.