Hearing Rama's words, Bharata answered, "Deprived of the kingdom in
consequence of my posteriority in point of birth, what doth regard for
morality avail me? O best of men, even this morality has ever been
established with reference to us, viz., that the eldest son of the king
existing, a younger one cannot be the king. Do thou, therefore, O
Raghava go along with me to the prosperous Ayodhya; and get thyself
installed there for the behoof of our race. Although a king observing
interest and virtue, and who towers above average humanity, hath been
called a mortal, yet to me he is a very deity. While I was in Kekaya and
thou wast in the forest, that intelligent monarch honored of the good,
given to celebrating sacrifices, ascended heaven. As soon as thou hadst
set out (for the forest) along with Sita and Lakshmana, the king borne
down by grief and chagrin, went to heaven. O foremost of men, do thou
arise, and offer water unto the spirit of our sire. Satrughna and I have
ere this offered water unto (the departed). O Raghava, anything offered
onto the (manes of the) ancestors by a beloved descendant, conduces to
their eternal behoof; and thou wast the favorite of our father. Mourning
thee and exceedingly desirous of seeing thee, his mind being fastened on
thee and incapable of being turned away, deprived of thee, and smitten
with grief on thy account, thy father departed this life, remembering
thee."