पादुकाप्रदानम्
The Gift of the Sandals and Delegated Kingship
सोऽधिरुह्य नरव्याघ्रः पादुके ह्यवरुह्य च।प्रायच्छत्सुमहातेजा भरताय महात्मने।।2.112.22।।
so ’dhiruhya naravyāghraḥ pāduke hy avaruhya ca |
prāyacchat sumahātejā bharatāya mahātmane || 2.112.22 ||
Si Rama, tigre sa mga tao at maningning sa dakilang ningning, ay umapak sa mga sandalyas at saka bumaba; at pagkatapos ay iniabot niya ang mga iyon kay Bharata, ang dakilang kaluluwa.
Rama, the best of men, one with great brilliance, put on and then put off the sandals and presented them to the magnanimous Bharata.
Authority is transferred not through ambition but through righteous delegation: Rama enables Bharata to administer the kingdom as a trustee, preserving legitimacy and truth.
Rama consents to Bharata’s request by stepping on the sandals and formally handing them over, creating a symbolic regency.
Rama’s adherence to satya and dharma—he supports Bharata’s dharmic plan without breaking his own exile vow.