He said, "Blessed by Your touch, these sandals will bear the burden of ruling the world. I will keep them on the throne and I will rule on Your behalf. I will not stay in the palace or wear the dress of a king. I will live in a hut outside the city of Ayodhya and wear tree bark and keep My hair in matted locks, as You have done. On the day that Your banishment ends, I must see You, or I will enter the fire and end My life."
Rama allowed Bharatha to do as He wished. Bharatha placed the sandals on His head and went around Rama three times.
Then He climbed into the chariot and headed for Ayodhya with the queens and Sumantra. Rama wept as He bid farewell to all of them.