Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were taken to the borders of the kingdom of Koshala by Sumantra, the chariot driver of King Dasharatha. Then Rama bid a tearful farewell to his dearest Koshala and crossed the River Ganga.
The tribal chief, Guha, who was an old friend of the prince, welcomed Them to his village and ferried the three across the river. Rama was very glad to accept Guha's gesture of friendship.
Then, with Lakshmana leading the way, Sita behind Him and Rama bringing up the rear, They began walking through the forest. At first They came upon the hermitage of Bharadhvaja Muni. They spent some time there and learnt many things.
Then They walked on till They reached Chitrakuta, the mountain where they met Sage Valmiki. They decided to stay in Chitrakuta and made a hut to live in.
Meanwhile, in Ayodhya, King Dasharatha could not bear to have Rama away from him. He could only think of Him and call out His name all day.
He felt as if his life had been taken away from him and that there was no use in being alive anymore. On the night of the sixth day after Rama left on exile, the king died in his sleep.
The whole kingdom deeply mourned the passing of this great and noble king. Sage Vasishta, the royal guru, sent word to Bharatha and Shatrughna in Kekaya, to return to Ayodhya.
Shatrughna learned of the banishment of Rama and the death of Their father only on Their return to Ayodhya. They were shocked to know how Kaikeyi had made the old king send Rama into exile and hand over the kingdom to Bharatha.
Bharatha heard all this from Kaikeyi herself. He scolded her with words of anger for being so greedy and heartless. He begged forgiveness from Kaushalya for what had happened.
He did not want to be king and would not rule Ayodhya. He would go to the forest and bring Rama back to rule as king.
After performing the last rites for His father, Bharatha set out to meet Rama in Chitrakuta along with sage Vasishta, Shatrughna and the queens.
Finding Rama and Lakshmana along with Sita, wearing tree bark and living like simple sages in the forest, Bharatha became very sad. He broke the news of Their father's death to His brothers and they all mourned Dasharatha's passing away, together.
Then, Bharatha fell at Rama's feet and said, "My dearest brother, Rama, you are My very life. I do not wish to rule Koshala. I do not even wish to remain there if You stay in the forest, far away from home. Please return to Ayodhya and rule Koshala, as You are the eldest of Us brothers and rightfully You should rule the kingdom after Our father."
Rama lifted Bharatha and hugged Him, saying, "I have to keep the word of Our great father and cannot break the promise he made. I will return to Ayodhya after My exile. Please rule Koshala as Our parents wanted You to."
But Bharatha did not give up. Even Vasishta tried to speak to Rama to return, but Rama did not agree.
Finally, Bharatha requested Rama to stand on the sandals that He had brought with Him, which were to be given to Rama for the coronation.