Bharat refused to take a kingdom obtained so deceitfully by his mother. He decided to go to the forest and bring his brother back. When Bharat met Ram they hugged tearfully. Ram learnt of his father's death and was shattered. "Come back. His kingdom needs you" said Bharat. But Ram refused. His father's order that he stay as a hermit in the forest for fourteen years had to be fulfilled. Bharat then said, "he did not order me to be king. The crow was simply secured for me by my mother's complicity. I reject it. Only Ram shall be king of Ayodhya. Until you return, I shall administer the kingdom as your regent. And during that time I shall not enjoy the comforts of royal life. I shall live as a hermit outside of the city and suffer as you do. Let this be a lesson to my mother." Bharat took Ram's sandals and carried them to Ayodhya and placed them on the throne. These would be the symbols of the king in exile.

-D. Pattanaik