Shloka 24
पादुकाप्रदानम्
The Gift of the Sandals and Delegated Kingship
स पादुके सम्प्रणम्य रामं वचनमब्रवीत्चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि जटाचीरधरो ह्याहम्।।2.112.23।।फलमूलाशनो वीर भवेयं रघुनन्दन।तवाऽगमनमाकाङ्क्षान्वसन्वै नगराद्बहिः।।2.112.24।।तव पादुकयोर्न्यस्तराज्यतन्त्रः परन्तप।
caturdaśe tu saṃpūrṇe varṣe ’hani raghūttama || 2.112.25 ||
na drakṣyāmi yadi tvāṃ tu pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam |
എന്നാൽ ഹേ രഘൂത്തമാ! പതിനാലു വർഷം പൂർണ്ണമാകുന്ന ദിവസം ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളെ ദർശിക്കാതിരുന്നാൽ, ഞാൻ ഹുതാശനത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിച്ച് ദേഹം ഉപേക്ഷിക്കും.
Bharata bowed before the sandals and said to Rama, 'O tormentorr of enemies, O hero, wearing matted locks and bark garments, living on fruits and roots, placing the responsibility of ruling the kingdom on your sandals and looking forward to your arrival, I shall reside outside the city for fourteen years.'
FAQs
Radical accountability to truth: Bharata binds himself to Rama’s promised return, treating the vow as sacred and non-negotiable.
Bharata intensifies his commitment by declaring a severe self-penalty if Rama does not return at the end of exile.
Bharata’s steadfastness (dṛḍha-vrata) and unwavering loyalty to dharma over personal survival.