Why Kaikeyi demanded that Shri Ram should be sent on a 14-year exile — not 10 years, or 20 years, or 15 years etc? many wonders.

Because, as per Treta yuga, if a prince or king don’t take responsibilities of kingdom for 14 years, they lose the right to rule the kingdom permanently.    

But Bharat, Kaikeyi’s son never ascended the throne and kept Shri Ram’s charan paduka (footwear) on the throne and worshiped them throughout the 14 years when Shri Ram was away, thus honouring Him as the king of Ayodhya.

Every character of the Ramayana is love. While Laxman always stayed with Ram during His exile period, Bharat keeps Ram in His heart.

In the Hanuman Chalisa, Shri Ram tells Hanuman that Hanuman is dear to Him like His brother Bharat. Many debate that when Shri Ram says that, He clarifies that Bharat is the brother dearest to Him. Or it was Tulsidas who interprets Bharat’s love and longing as deeper than any other brother of Shri Ram? Whatever the case be, Bharat creates an example of love that is moving beyond words.