Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 1
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
तत श्शिरसि कृत्वा तु पादुके भरतस्तदा।आरुरोह रथं हृष्टः शत्रुघ्नेन समन्वितः।।।।
tataḥ śirasi kṛtvā tu pāduke bharatas tadā | ārurōha rathaṃ hṛṣṭaḥ śatrughnēna samanvitaḥ || 2.113.1 ||
ਫਿਰ ਭਰਤ ਨੇ ਪਾਦੁਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਾਰਨ ਕਰਕੇ; ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰੁਘਨ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹರ್ಷਿਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਰਥ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹਿਆ।
Then Bharata accompanied by Satrughna, placing the sandals on his head in delight, boarded the chariot.
FAQs
Dharma is self-effacing service: Bharata accepts symbolic rulership only as stewardship under Rāma’s rightful authority.
Bharata departs from Rāma carrying the pādukās as a sacred emblem, returning to govern in Rāma’s name.
Humility and loyalty—placing the sandals on his head signals reverence and refusal to usurp what is not his by dharma.