Vasiṣṭha argued that one’s mother and ācārya are more honorable than one’s father, and that Rāma should therefore fulfill Bharata’s prayer to accept and protect His kingdom. Rāma then proved that a mother and father are more honorable than one’s ācārya, and that since He had first promised to carry out His father’s instruction, He could not transgress it. When Bharata was thus silenced again, He had kuśa grass spread out for Him to sit on and fast. Rāma told Bharata that it was adhārmika for kṣatriyas to engage in such an activity. Bharata then said that He would reside in the forest for fourteen years on behalf of Rāma. Rāma pointed out that carrying out vows through a representative is applicable for those who are incapable and that such an arrangement for Him would be worthy of valid criticism. He then pacified Bharata by declaring that after His residence in the forest, He would return to Ayodhyā.