As Bharata lay on the floor, his grief was terrible to behold. Rama could hardly recognize him whose body was emaciated and whose mind was ravaged by a great sorrow. Picking him up tenderly and kissing him on the forehead Rama asked of Dasaratha and the reason why he was at Chitrakuta and not in Ayodhya, serving his father. "Has your inexperience imperiled Kosala, why do you wander this wilderness, forfeiting that vast empire? How is our father? He has not succumbed to his grief, has he? Does the renowned Guru of the Ikshvakus Vasishta still command the respect of the people? Are Kausalya and Sumitra well and does Kaikeyi enjoy the kingdom she gained?
A man of modesty and knowledge, free of envy and of noble of birth should be your preceptor. I trust you continue worshipping the gods and paying homage to our ancestors, Gurus, ministers and relatives who are equals of our father. Do you honor Sudhanva, master of statecraft and sciences, who is equipped with the most formidablearrows and Mantra propelled weapons? I hope that you have ordained into your services, men of honor who are skilled in the art of interpreting the motives of others by their gestures. Take the counsel of those ministers who are equal to you in virtue and who will not yield to bribery.
Do not let sleep entice you nor discuss affairs of the state late into the night. Decisions of importance should be made in the early hours of the morning and guarded well. Let not your plans or those of your ministers become public knowledge. Abandoning a thousand fools heed one wise man, capable and intelligent able to avert or handle calamities. For one wise man can render service that ten thousand fools cannot. A single minister, who is discreet, brave and skillful, can bring about great prosperity to kings.
Do not embark on unworthy charities. Earning wealth by overtaxing your subjects, you will incur their scorn. A king who does not slay him who is cunning and greedy will instigate those who serve him to rebel, to injure or usurp the kingdom or even kill.Is the chief of your armies a man of good lineage, loyal, honest and wise, does he keep the enemies at bay?
Do you honor and commend those soldiers, who have served you beyond their call of duty? Skilled warriors and heroes should be recognized, praised and rewarded. Is the army paid on time and are all their needs implicitly taken care of? If not, they turn hostile leading them to rebel. The men of the army should be of good stock and ready to give up their lives for you and your cause. An envoy chosen by you should be from Kosala, who can quickly grasp the intent of others, who can rise to any occasion and adept at repeating as well as receiving messages. Keep watch over enemies whom you have vanquished and never underestimate them. Do not entertain foolish Brahmins, who have big ambitions and little knowledge. They bring disaster by indulging in futile talk, and contradict the laws of dharma. Ignoramus that they are they pretend to be wise.
Is Ayodhya, true to its name, impregnable and are you guarding it well? Protect the woman of the place and treat them with chivalry, but do not divulge any secrets to them. Discourage them from conversing with strange men. Are all forts well equipped with men, food and weapons? Your expenditure should not exceed your revenue. All matters whether they pertain to the rich or the poor should be looked into with equal interest for the sons and the cattle of a king will soon perish, by the tears of a man, falsely accused by the king. For the sake of pleasure do not forsake dharma, Artha and Kama and may astute Brahmins bless you with prosperity.
Keep away from the transgressions of atheism, falsehood, anger and procrastination. Never neglect the wise nor indulge in indiscreet gratification of the senses. Do not disregard counsel in matters of state nor overlook execution of stipulated tasks. Avoid consulting men of little or no knowledge who can guard a secret and avoid battling on many war fronts at the same time. Do not respond to flattery.
Bharata I hope you agree with me that acquiring fame without harm to righteousness and prosperity without harm to integrity of blame are imperative and have no alternatives. Do you tread the noble path that our ancestors walked? A monarch who rules the kingdom, abiding by the laws of dharma and who wields his scepter with prudence leaves this world in glory to reach the land of gods.