To attend to your wishes, to cheerfully carry out your behests and acknowledge them as truly wise will be best for all. First, then, whatever you bid me do, I will reverently carry out your orders and instructions.

Next, holy father, whoever receives any order from you will fully devote himself to your service.’ To this Vasishtha replied, ‘What you say, Rama, is true, but Bharata’s love has robbed me of my wits.

That is why I say again and again that my judgement has been enthralled by Bharata’s devotion. To my mind- Shiva be my witness – whatever you do with due deference to Bharata’s wishes will be best.

First, listen attentively to Bharata’s prayer and then consider the matter thoroughly. Having done that, draw out the essential doctrines from the wisdom of the saints and popular tradition, from political ethics and the teaching of the Vedas, and act in accordance with them.’

Rama was particularly delighted at heart to see the guru’s great love for Bharata; knowing Bharata to be a champion of righteousness and his own servant in thought and word and deed,

- he spoke words that were sweet, soft and auspicious and harmonized well with the guru’s commands: ‘I swear by you, my lord, and by my father’s feet that in all the world there has never been such a brother as Bharata!

Highly blessed in the eyes of the world and the view of the Vedas are those who love the lotus feet of their guru; and who can describe Bharata’s blessedness, to whom such love has been shown by you?