Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 31
भरतस्य मातृसदनगमनं कैकेय्या दारुणवृत्तान्तकथनं च
Bharata in Kaikeyi’s apartments: revelation of Daśaratha’s death and Rāma’s exile
क्व स पाणिस्सुखस्पर्शस्तातस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः।
येन मां रजसा ध्वस्तमभीक्ष्णं परिमार्जति।।2.72.31।।
kva sa pāṇiḥ sukha-sparśas tātasya akliṣṭa-karmaṇaḥ |
yena māṃ rajasā dhvastaṃ abhīkṣṇaṃ parimārjati || 2.72.31 ||
Where is that hand of my father—gentle to the touch, tireless in action—by which he would again and again wipe away the dust that covered me?
Where is that hand of my father of unwearied actions, the hand that would wipe awaythe dust from my person with a pleasant touch?
FAQs
Dharma is expressed through care in small acts; the king’s righteousness includes attentive compassion in family life.
Bharata laments the missing presence of his father by recalling intimate gestures of affection.
Daśaratha’s loving protectiveness and Bharata’s grateful remembrance.