Vasishta went on to tell Rama that every man born has his mother, father and teacher as his three Gurus. The parents give birth to the body of man but it is the Guru who instructs him in knowledge and wisdom and so is considered superior. I was your father's Guru and so am yours. By obeying me, you will not be straying from the path of dharma in ruling the kingdom of Ayodhya. Fulfill your mother's wish , she deserves a hundred times more reverence than your father. You will neither be false to yourself, nor will you violate the truth, nor abuse your power by conceding to Bharata's wishes". But Rama thought otherwise and said, "It is hard to repay the debt of parents who love and cherish their children. Dasaratha is my father and the promise I gave him shall never be rendered false." So great was Bharata's disappointment that he requested Sumantra to get some kusa grass, on which he would lay himself, barring Rama's passage. When Sumantra hesitated Bharata got it himself and sitting on it asked the people of Ayodhya who had assembled there " Can any one of you persuade Rama to return?" But the loyal subjects quietly said, "Rama, who treads no other path than that of Dharma is living as commanded by Dasaratha and that makes his decision final and not open to any further debate". Rama asked Bharata " Did you hear what the people had to say?" Bharata then said "Ministers and men of Ayodhya! Listen to me, I never asked my father to enthrone me, nor did I ever counsel my mother in this matter and most importantly, I never consented to Rama's exile. Since one of us should remain here, it is I who will do so."

Rama admired Bharata's words , but bound by his impeccable standards, said, "Death does not change the nature of an oath Bharata. My commitment to my fatheris stillsacred and can never be changed or broken. I wish to honor his words and liberate him from his vows. My returning to Ayodhya with you will make me unworthy."