Ayodhya Kanda — Part 3 of 3. This chapter is an original prose retelling of the traditional Ramayana narrative; it is not a verse-by-verse translation.
Bharata returns to Ayodhya, rejects the throne won through intrigue, and travels to Rama. He begs his brother to return; Rama refuses to abandon their father’s pledge. Bharata carries Rama’s sandals back and governs as a caretaker from Nandigrama until the exile ends. The sandals symbolize authority held in trust, not personal possession.
The episode invites readers to consider duty, compassion and the consequences of choices. Continue through the kand in order to follow the story from its beginning to its conclusion.