Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 115, Shloka 17
पादुकाभिषेकः
The Consecration of Rama’s Sandals and Bharata’s Trusteeship at Nandigrama
भ्रात्रा हि मयि संन्यासो निक्षिप्त स्सौहृदादयम्।तमिमं पालयिष्यामि राघवागमनं प्रति।।।।
bhrātrā hi mayi saṃnyāso nikṣiptaḥ sauhṛdād ayam | tam imaṃ pālayiṣyāmi rāghavāgamanaṃ prati ||
诚然，兄长出于深情将此托付置于我身。我必守护此清净之寄，直至罗伽婆归来。
This kingdom has been given me by my brother out of affection as a trust. I shall safeguard it until Rama's return.
FAQs
Stewardship and fidelity: Bharata commits to guard what is not his, holding power only until the rightful heir returns.
Bharata publicly declares his role as trustee of the kingdom, explicitly limiting it to the duration of Rama’s exile.
Truthfulness and accountability: Bharata binds himself to a clear, publicly stated purpose and timeframe.