Valmiki Ramayana 2.113.14: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 14
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
Spoken by BharataPlaces named: AyodhyāReturn journey toward capital
निवृत्तोऽहमनुज्ञातो रामेण सुमहात्मना ।
अयोध्यामेव गच्छामि गृहीत्वा पादुके शुभे ॥१४॥
nivṛtto 'ham anujñāto rāmeṇa sumahātmanā |
ayodhyām eva gacchāmi gṛhītvā pāduke śubhe ||14||
राम ने मुझे जाने की परमिशन दे दी। मैं अब वापस जा रहा हूँ। यह चरण पादुका ले के मैं अयोध्या चला जाऊँगा।
Sandhi Notes
- निवृत्तः + अहम् → निवृत्तोऽहम्
- अहम् + अनुज्ञातः → हमनुज्ञातः (in recitation)
- अयोध्याम् + एव → अयोध्यामेव
I am now returning to Ayodhya with these auspicious sandals permitted by the magnanimous Rama.
The teaching
True service accepts lonely responsibility while keeping the rightful principle (dharma/legitimacy) at the center.
Duties in tension
- Personal desire to keep Rama near vs. obligation to return and stabilize Ayodhyā
- Refusal of kingship vs. necessity of governance
- Ethical theme
- Seva / rājadharma
- How it resolves
- Acceptance of stewardship under Rama’s token
For your practice
Viraha-inflected devotion: carrying the Lord’s pādukā as constant remembrance; supports japa/smaraṇa with humility and duty.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Karuna (compassion), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Parting, austere, resolute
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Sevā (service)
- Rajadharma
- Itihasa
Non-appropriation: carrying the symbol of authority while renouncing ownership mirrors aparigraha and niṣkāma-karma.
Theme of renunciation-with-action: acting in the world while inwardly detached (echo by motif).
- Bharata and Rama
- Younger brother obeying and serving elder’s command (devoted)
- Bharata and Ayodhya
- Returning regent bearing token of rule (burdened-dutiful)
- Bharata and Pādukā
- Reverence to Rama’s feet via sandals (reverent)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.114–2.115 (Bharata’s return and subsequent installation of pādukā); Rāmacaritamānasa Ayodhyākāṇḍa (Bharata returns to Nandigrāma; rules in Rama’s name)
Bhakti traditions later elevating pādukā-sevā as a devotional archetype
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Bharata’s resolve to live like an ascetic while administering the kingdom (nearby narrative)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Grieving
Mandra-komala
FAQs
Service without usurpation: Bharata accepts a symbol of rule only as delegated duty, not as personal claim.
After receiving Rāma’s sandals, Bharata announces his return to Ayodhyā with Rāma’s permission.
Bharata’s humility and loyalty—governing as caretaker for the rightful king.
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