Bharata was physically weary and emotionally battered. Slowly his dazed mind struggled back to near normalcy and he sat up. He saw Kaikeyi. His eyes still brimming with tears he beheld the face of his mother. A face that bore witness to her anguish, born out of her disappointment at the destruction of her dreams, shattered by the wrath of Bharata.

To let Sumantra and the ministers know of what had transpired Bharata once again started berating his mother. "Never have I coveted the Kingdom of Ayodhya or talked of it to my mother. I was miles away from Ayodhya and unaware of both my coronation and of Rama's banishment. I do not wish to profit by my mother's efforts, which should have been stemmed at their very inception." Meanwhile hearing of Bharata's arrival Kausalya readied her self to see that 'wicked Kaikeyi's son'. Agitated, unmindful of her soiled clothes and dishevelled hair she readied to go to Bharata. Just then Bharata himself appeared at her doorstep accompanied by Satrughna.

Seeing Kausalya, who was a picture of utter grief and desolation the two princes embraced her, with loving concern. She pounced upon Bharata saying, "Did you not crave the crown of Ayodhya my son?By banishing Rama, Kaikeyi's ruthless hand has taken hold of that which you had so wanted. What does Kaikeyi desire by driving away my son to the jungles clothed in bark garments? Let Kaikeyi send me to Rama or taking Dasaratha's body and the sacrificial fire which he worshipped I shall go to Dandakaranya." It was perhaps Kausalya's way of saying that Rama could then perform the funeral rites of the king who had once, in his anger forbidden Bharata to perform.

As Kausalya mercilessly piled blame upon undeserving blame upon Bharata, the prince waiting to prove his innocence fell at her feet saying, "Worshipful mother, unaware of my love for Ramayou accuse me of transgressions that I am not guilty of.May all the spiritual knowledge of him, by whose consent Rama now lives in exile, perish. May the sons, slaves and servants ostracize all those guilty of Rama being banished! May they, given to women, wine, gambling, passion and anger, lose their wealth and suffer. I was neither aware nor had control over what had eventuated here during my absence, so how can this blame befall me?Rama, mighty prince of Ayodhya, virtuous beyond measure, whose only religion is truth, is exiled and the accusing finger points at me. There is not a fragment of truth in those charges against me.I am not and never will be party to my mother's deeds against dharma.If I am, then may all the sins visit me and render me a beggar"

Bharata's impassioned pleas of his innocence and denials of the deceit that he was accused of calmed Kausalya. Regretting her outburst she said, "My son, distracted by a grief beyond endurance, I accused you. Your duty to your honor, which makes you want to follow your brother, is commendable. Blessed are you!" Kausalya tenderly embraced Bharata, but the prince would not be consoled as he deeply sorrowed for a father who was dead and a brother who was exiled.One was away by death and the other by dharma.