66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

Bharatha opened the subject. “I have come with all these
people to beg you to return home and be our King.”
Rama shook his head and said, “Yes, fourteen years
hence. That was our father’s wish. You are the King by his
authority.”
“If you think I should be the King, so be it, but I abdicate
this instant, and crown you.”
The argument went on at a highly academic and
philosophical level, the entire assembly watching with
respect.
In a world where we are accustomed to rivalries over
possession, authority, and borders, and people clashing
over the issue, “Ours,” or “Mine, not yours,” it is rather
strange to find two people debating whose the kingdom is
not, and asserting: “Yours, not mine.”
“So be it; if I have the authority—then I confer it on you as
the ruler,” said Bharatha at one stage. “On my command as
the ruler, if you desire to think so, you shall be the King.” It
went on thus. Rama went on repeating that there could be no
word higher than that of a father; no conduct other than
obedience to it. Throughout he referred to Kaikeyi in the
gentlest terms and always as “mother.” Vasishtha, watching
the debate, burst out: “I have been your guru; there can be no
higher authority than a guru—you must return to Ayodhya as
King.” Rama said, “It’s not right to give me that command.
My parents, who have given me my body and mind, are