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 |
“హే రఘూత్తమా! పద్నాలుగు సంవత్సరాలు పూర్తయ్యే రోజున నేను నిన్ను దర్శించకపోతే, నేను దహించే అగ్నిలో ప్రవేశిస్తాను।”
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.