Character of Bharatha in Ramayana

In the galaxy of luminaries depicted in Ramayana there is one star which shines with a soft radiance of its own and that is that of Bharatha, the youngest but one among the princes of Ayodhya. His nobility and fraternal feeling towards his elder brother Rama, are very vividly narrated by Valmiki. On return to Ayodhya from his maternal uncle’s house in Rajagruha, on urgent summons, Bharatha learns of the death of his father, King Dasratha, and the departure of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to Dandakaranya as per the wishes of his mother. He is shocked at the suggestion that he is to be crowned as the king of Ayodhya as his mother had wished, lending her ears to the evil Mandhara.

"Why did you kill my father the monarch, who was intent on righteousness? Why did you send Rama on exile to the forest?" he ask his mother.

विनाशितो महाराजः पिता मे धर्मवत्सलः |

कस्मात्प्रव्राजितो रामः कस्मादेव वनम् गतः || २-७३-

He is inconsolable and says “Bereft of my father as well as my brother too, who is exactly like my father, what is the use of a kingdom now to me, lamenting as I am with despair. By which source of strength can I be able to protect the kingdom, without those lions among men, Rama and Lakshmana in proximity to me?"

Vouching that he would bring back Rama, Sita and Lakshmana from the forest, he departs with a small retinue in search of them. On locating them he pleads with Rama to come back and rightfully occupy the throne of Ayodhya as the eldest son of Dasaratha. He says "O, the foremost of men! O, Majesty! It has been ever the established tradition in us that while the elder son is there, the younger one cannot become a king. O, Rama! Therefore, come to the prosperous Ayodhya along with me and get anointed in kingdom for the welfare of our race. Where is the forest and where is the princely dignity? Where is the matted hair and where is the protection of a kingdom? You ought not to do such a contradictory act. O, the highly enlightened hero! The first duty of a warrior is indeed to get crowned, so that he may then protect his subjects. I am indeed junior to you in the point of learning, situation and by birth. How should I rule the earth, while still you are living? O, excellent among men! Wipe off my mother's curse today and protect our venerable father from his sin.

“I request you by bowing my head before you. Show compassion on me and on all our relatives. Else if you disregard my entire request and move again into the forest from here, I too will go along with you."

Consoled and persuaded by Rama to return to Ayodhya, Bharatha departs with the sandals of Rama, places them on the throne of Ayodhya and waits for fourteen years in Nandigrama, thus acknowledging that he was only acting as the regent of Rama and not as the king of Kosala.