On the morrow, as every one sat around Rama but none spoke, Bharata finally said, "My mother is pacified, for heeding her wishes you gave me the kingdom. I now give it back to you. You alone can command Kosala. Just as a donkey cannot keep pace with a horse, or a small bird with that great Tarkshya, I too have not the power to emulate you. Blessed is the life of him whom others depend upon for their sustenance, but cursed is he who depends on others, for his! Let the subjects of Ayodhya behold you being installed king of Ayodhya, like the resplendent sun." All those who had assembled there applauded Bharata's decision but Rama disagreed.

Trying to reason with Bharata, Rama said, "Bharata! Man is not independent of divine will nor is he master of his fate, for destiny is inexorable. Wealth amassed can vanish and lofty positions can crumble. Every union ends in separation and life ends in death, just as every fruit that ripens has no other fear except that of falling from the tree. For every man born, there is no other fear than death. The strongest homes built on mighty pillars, fall to ruin, as time passes on and so do those who grow old and perish with age. In this world days and nights pass quickly decreasing the life of all just as the rays of the merciless sun dry up the waters.

To grieve is unwise for whether one stands still or keeps walking, life will continue to ebb. Death walks with man and will sit, if he sits. It will travel to the ends of the world with him if he wishes to travel long miles, and will come back with him when he does. The body wrinkles with age, into the raven black of the hair creeps the white of the snows. Youth fades and vitality diminishes but by what means can man escape these ravages of time? How can he rejuvenate himself and by what mortal power? Men rejoice every sunrise and sunset, unaware that every passing morning and evening robs them of a day's life. Oblivious that every season shortens his life span, man looks forward to every new season, enjoying every new experience and the mood that they usher in."

Inescapable is separation, for just as drifting pieces of wood come together, in the boundless main toss around for a while and then drift apart. So do wives, children, relatives and riches. They remain together for some time to be separated again by the irresistible laws of destiny to which all life must bend and bow. In this changing world the common lot of not one man can ever be neither changed nor averted. Why lament for the dead, whom tears can never bring back. Like a flowing river life can never roll back to its source, and age with time marches onwards, relentlessly. Those who aspire to conquer the higher worlds must lead a life of compassion and obedience to the gurus, seeking only the pleasures that do not contradict the rules of dharma. There is no reason to grieve our father who is now in heaven, with all his righteous duties on earth fulfilled. Lauded by men of great eminence, having enjoyed all the royal pleasures of life, Dasaratha, the lord, emperor of the earth, attained the heavens by merit of his abundant charities and sacrifices.

After a long and glorious life, our father has reached where all men born desire to go. Casting away his mortal body, he now inhabits the world of Brahma. Dasaratha needs neither pity nor grief for his life and deeds have earned him great glory and absolute supremacy over the entire earth. Higher than the glory of the kingdom, is the spoken word of a king. A dutiful son should never disown father's righteous mandate. His wish that I live in exile while you rule Ayodhya is irrevocable. Death does not render a promise void Bharata! Return to Ayodhya and following the exemplary qualities of our father, be the king of Ayodhya" thus Rama tried to convince Bharata to act according to Dasaratha's mandate.