Having placed his mothers in Ayodhya, Bharata steady in his vow,
kindling in grief, said unto his preceptors, "I shall go to Nandigrama,
and therefore greet you all. There I shall suffer all this grief on
account of Rama's absence. The king hath gone to heaven, and my superior
is staying in the woods. I shall remain in expectation of Rama, assuming
the reins of government. Verily that illustrious one is the king."
Hearing this excellent speech of the high- souled Bharata, the
counsellors as well as the priest Vasishtha said, "What, O Bharata,
influenced by affection for thy brother thou sayst, is worthy of thee
and is highly commendable. Who will not endorse what hath fallen from
thee, ever engaged in serving thy friends, established in fraternal
love, and who hast entered upon a noble course?" Having heard the words
of the counsellors acceptable and welcome, Bharata said unto the
charioteer, "Do thou yoke my car." Then with a cheerful countenance
having spoken to his mothers, that graceful one ascended the car in
company with Satrughna. Having swiftly ascended the car, both Satrughna
and Bharata, right glad at heart, set out, surrounded by counsellors and
priests. And going ahead, all the preceptors headed by Vasishtha
proceeded eastwards, in which direction lay Nandigrama. And the forces,
filled with elephants and horses and cars, although not called, set out
on Bharata proceeding, as well as all the citizens. And ascending the
car, the virtuous Bharata attached unto his brother, speedily went to
Nandigrama, holding the sandals (of Rama) on his head. Then entering
Nandigrama in a short time, Bharata swiftly alighted from the car and
addressed his preceptors, saying, "This monarchy hath been consigned
unto me as a trust; and these gold-decked sandals shall carry on the
work of government, protecting what the people have and securing unto
them what they have not." Then bowing unto the sandals which represented
the trust, Bharata burning in grief addressed the entire body of the
subjects, saying, "Do ye speedily hold the umbrella (over these
sandals). These represent the dear feet of the exalted one. Through
these sandals of my superior, will be established the regal morality (of
the kingdom). This kingdom from love hath been conferred on me as a
trust; therefore I shall govern it until Raghava comes. Again speedily
putting these sandals on Raghava's feet, I shall behold them with the
sandals on. On Raghava coming (back), I shall, my burden being cast upon
him, making over the kingdom unto him, engage myself in serving my
superior. And having rendered unto Raghava the trust in the shape of
these sandals, this kingdom, and Ayodhya, I shall be washed from my
sin." Henceforth wearing bark and matted locks, and in the guise of an
ascetic, the heroic Bharata dwelt in Nandigrama along with his forces.
Having consigned all rule unto the sandals, Bharata himself held the
umbrella and the _chowri_ furnished with hair. And the graceful Bharata,
having installed the sandals of the noble one, always carried on the
government in subordination to them.