Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 112, Shloka 25
पादुकाप्रदानम्
The Gift of the Sandals and Delegated Kingship
चतुर्दशे तु संपूर्णे वर्षेऽहनि रघूत्तम।।2.112.25।।न द्रक्ष्यामि यदि त्वां तु प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्।
caturdaśe tu saṃpūrṇe varṣe ’hani raghūttama || 2.112.25 ||
na drakṣyāmi yadi tvāṃ tu pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam |
ਪਰ ਹੇ ਰਘੂਤਮ! ਜਦੋਂ ਚੌਦਾਂ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਹੋਣਗੇ, ਉਸ ਦਿਨ ਜੇ ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਨਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਹੁਤਾਸ਼ਨ ਅੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਵੇਸ਼ ਕਰ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ।
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.