To Bharata, homecoming proved to be joyless. Oppressed by an inexplicable feeling of doom, he went in search of the king.Not finding him in the palace, he went to see his mother, who was delighted to see him.She embraced her son whom she had not seen for so long and kissed him tenderly on his brow. She asked of the welfare of his grandfather and uncle. "All are well", said Bharata, "And my grandfather sends his greetings to you and my father. The gifts that he has given me will soon arrive. Hurried by the messengers from Ayodhya, I have reached earlier. Tell me mother, why is my father not on this golden couch and why is everything so desolate? I do long to see him and pay him my obeisance."

Deluded by the love for her son and her greed for a kingdom, Kaikeyi, in her ignorance, revealed the unpleasant truth deeming it to be delightful, "The king a great soul has attained that state which all beings should one day attain!" The suddenness of the announcement, and its cold precise delivery sent waves of shock through Bharata. Reeling at the blow, which was almost physical he fell to the floor like one struck. Kaikeyi went to him who was sobbing inconsolably and stroking him tenderly said, "Rise my son. This show of sorrow in public does not befit you, a royal prince."Choking with grief Bharata demanded,"Assuming that I was being summoned either for the coronation of Rama or to witness one of the King's yagna's I traveled to Ayodhya only to find my father no longer alive. What disease claimed his life mother? Blessed is Rama and blessed are those who performed his funeral rites. Where is the hand that guided me, wiped my tears and would have now dusted my clothes and stroked me lovingly?Where is Rama? Is not an elder brother like a father?I long to touch his feet in obeisance and I surrender to him who is the most virtuous, truthful and above all the most worshipful. He is my father and my solace."

Bharata wanted to know if the king had any message for him and what his last words were. Kaikeyi said, "Crying out for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, his last words were that all those who would one day behold them return to Ayodhya, were indeed fortunate." When Bharata asked of Rama it was Kaikeyi's moment of triumph for which she had been waiting with unabated eagerness. Sure that Rama's exile would be Bharata's joy she announced, "Rama clad in bark robes has gone to live in the Dandakaranya along with Sita and Lakshmana." This information only puzzled Bharata who wondered what transgression of Rama, could have warranted his exile? "Did Rama steal from a Brahmin? Did he torment the innocent of Ayodhya or did he covet the wife of another man? Why did the king banish Rama like a criminal who had slain a Vedic Brahmin?" asked Bharata. "

Believing her self to be most intelligent, Kaikeyi proudly laid bare the intricacies of her diabolic plan. "My son, Rama has committed no crime. The moment I heard of his coronation, I demanded that the king grant me the crown of Kosala and the banishment of Rama.Bound by his commitment to me earlierDasaratha agreed and exiled Rama. Sita and Lakshmana followed him. Do not grieve anymore Bharata; I have achieved all this for you." Basking in the glory of her achievement she exulted "Get ready to rule Kosala, its golden throne awaits you!