There are three clashes amongst brothers in the Ramayana. They are:

(1) the clash between Vali and Sugriva

(2) the clash between Ravana and Vibhishana and

(3) the ‘clash’ between Rama and Bharata.

Vibhishana protested and incurred his anger. When Ravana banished him from Lanka, Vibhishana sought refuge at the feet of Rama. He helped Rama against Ravama. Rama crowned him as the king of Lanka after killing Ravana. Sugriva sought the help of Rama to kill Vali: he then became the king of Kishkindha.

In first two cases, one brother became the King by standing against his own other. But the ‘clash’ between Rama and Bharata was of a different kind! Neither of the brothers wanted to become King of Ayodhya! Bharata told Rama, ‘Rama, you are the eldest and you alone have the right to become the king.’ But Rama protested, ‘I will not step into Ayodhya as I want to respect the promise given to my father. You have to rule over the kingdom, as it mother’s wish.’ Thus Rama refused to yield to the request of Bharata and rule the kingdom. Both brothers wanted to convince each other to rule over Ayodhya.

Rama adhered to truth at all times ‘Satyam nasti paro dharmah’ For him observance of truth was the highest Dharma. He clung to Dharma tenaciously and believed that truth would be triumphant at the end. Rama was steadfast in his observance of Satya and Dharma. (SSB 2002, p. 107)