Ayodhyākānda - Canto 112

Collected in the heavens to hear the dialogue of Bharata and Śrī Rāma, heavenly beings applaud the two brothers. Having decided upon his course of action, Śrī Rāma turns his face towards his hut; while pleading his inability to protect the kingdom, now that his attempts to take Śrī Rāma back to Ayodhyā had been frustrated, Bharata prays to Śrī Rāma for mercy once more. But when he comes to know that his elder brother cannot be made to swerve an inch from his vow, he places a new pair of wooden sandals decked with gold in front of his brother and requests him to place his feet on them. Readily acceding to his request, Śrī Rāma hands over the sandals to Bharata, who takes a vow before the former to enter the fire in case he did not return immediately on the expiry of his term of exile. Śrī Rāma confirms his vow and after embracing Bharata and Śatrughna and bidding good- bye to all with due respect according to the rank of each, enters his cottage.