Bharat couldn’t wait another second to see his beloved brother. He gathered his things and left his uncle’s home to return to Ayodhya. He entered the city, and to his surprise, the entire town was mourning the loss of two great men. Bharat’s father, Dashrath had passed away from the grief of being separated from his most beloved son, Rama. After questioning his mother, Kaikeiyi, Bharat discovered that she had wished for Rama to be exiled so that he could become the next king of Ayodhya. Instantly, Bharat became furious with his mother’s actions. Nothing would have made him happier than to see his brother Rama rightfully take the throne. And now, Rama was banished from the city for fourteen years, so that Bharat could be king. Immediately, Bharat rushed to find Rama and convince him to return to Ayodhya.

On the outskirts of the city, Rama and his wife, Sita, along with Lakshman, sat under a tree. They had made a small hut and began to live a simple forest life. From a distance, they noticed a horse quickly rushing towards them. Bharat jumped off the horse and fell at the feet of Rama. With tears streaming from his eyes, he looked into Rama’s merciful face. Rama raised Bharat to his feet and embraced him. Bharat stepped back and apologized to Rama for his mother’s cruel actions. He did not want to see Rama exiled so that he would be crowned king. Bharat fell to his feet once again and begged Rama to return to Ayodhya and take the throne as the king. With his brother gone, absolutely nothing mattered to him. All of the riches and powers were worthless if Rama could not share it with him.

Rama explained that it is his duty to follow their father’s command. He would not return to Ayodhya, but instead he gave his padukas (wooden sandals) to Bharat, in his place. Bharat took them and vowed that no matter what, Rama would be the true king of Ayodhya. With the padukas placed on the throne, Bharat would rule until Rama returned. And for the entire fourteen years Bharat ruled as a servant of Rama. He made sure his bed was lower than Rama’s padukas to show he would always be at Rama’s feet. He touched them to his head daily. Bharat ruled only as Rama’s servant.

Imagine that! Bharat had everything at his disposal. He was given an entire kingdom but still his loyalty to Rama did not change. In his mind, Rama was the true king and he was just humbly ruling Ayodhya until Rama returned. Just as Bharat was a humble king, Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a humble president. People from all over the world see Pramukh Swami Maharaj because he is the leader of the Sanstha. He is in charge but remains loyal to Thakorji. In Bapa’s mind, Maharaj is the true ruler of this Sanstha. No matter what he does, Swamishri continues to believe that he is a humble servant of Maharaj and the BAPS Sanstha.