Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 111, Shloka 26
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः
Sarga 111: Counsel on Gurus, Parental Debt, and Bharata’s Protest
यदित्ववश्यं वस्तव्यं कर्तव्यं च पितुर्वचः।अहमेव निवत्स्यामि चतुर्दश समा वने।।।।
yadi tv avaśyaṃ vastavyaṃ kartavyaṃ ca pitur vacaḥ |aham eva nivatsyāmi caturdaśa samā vane ||
“If dwelling in the forest is indeed unavoidable, and if our father’s word must be carried out, then I myself will live in the forest for fourteen years.”
If it is absolutely essential to live in the forest in accordance with the command of my father, I myself shall also dwell in the forest for fourteen years.
FAQs
Dharma as self-sacrificing fidelity to a vow: Bharata upholds the father’s word by offering to bear the hardship himself.
Bharata proposes an alternative: if exile is required by Daśaratha’s promise, he will undergo it instead of Rama.
Renunciation and brotherly devotion—Bharata rejects comfort and power in favor of moral rectitude.