Long time had the gods endured distress, till at last it was Prahlada who revealed Lord Nrisimha. They beat their heads and whispered in one another’s ears: ‘This time the god’s only chance lies with Bharata;

-there is no other remedy, O gods, that I can see. Our only hope is that Rama acknowledges service done to his noble servants. Do you all, therefore, with loving heart invoke Bharata, who has won over Rama by his virtue and amiability.’

When the preceptor of the gods (the sage Brihaspati) heard of the gods’ resolve, he said, ‘Well done, great is your good fortune. Devotion to Bharata’s feet is the source of all choice blessings in this world.

Service done to a devotee of Sita’s lord is as good as a hundred cows of plenty. Now that devotion to Bharata has appealed to your hearts cease to have any anxiety, for God has accomplished your object.

Behold, O Indra, the extent of Bharata’s supremacy and Raghunatha’s utter submission to his artless temperament. Knowing Bharata to be Rama’s shadow, make your mind easy, O gods, and fear not.’

The Lord, who has access to all hearts, was embarrassed when he heard the plans and fears of the gods and their guru. Bharata, knowing that the whole responsibility rested on his shoulders, pondered a myriad different arguments in his mind.

After much deliberation he came to the conclusion that in obedience to Rama’s will lay his highest good. ‘He has kept my vow, relinquishing his own,’ he thought, ‘and in this has shown me no little favour and affection.