Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 115, Shloka 12
पादुकाभिषेकः
The Consecration of Rama’s Sandals and Bharata’s Trusteeship at Nandigrama
रथस्थः स तु धर्मात्मा भरतो भ्रातृवत्सलः।नन्दिग्रामं ययौ तूर्णं शिरस्यादाय पादुके।।।।
rathasthaḥ sa tu dharmātmā bharato bhrātṛvatsalaḥ | nandigrāmaṃ yayau tūrṇaṃ śirasy ādāya pāduke || 2.115.12 ||
தர்மாத்மாவும் சகோதரபக்தனுமான பரதன் ரதத்தில் அமர்ந்து, ராமனின் பாதுகைகளைத் தலையில் தாங்கி, விரைவாக நந்திகிராமம் சென்றான்।
Righteous Bharata who was deeply attached to his brother proceeded speedily towards Nandigrama on the chariot bearing the sandals of Rama on his head.
FAQs
Legitimate authority is grounded in dharma and truth: Bharata refuses personal ambition and honours Rāma’s rightful kingship by treating the sandals as the emblem of sovereign duty.
Bharata travels quickly to Nandigrāma, carrying Rāma’s sandals as a sacred symbol of rulership and service.
Humility and fraternal devotion (bhrātṛvatsalatā): Bharata places himself beneath Rāma’s authority and acts as a trustee, not a usurper.