Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 40
भरतस्य मातृसदनगमनं कैकेय्या दारुणवृत्तान्तकथनं च
Bharata in Kaikeyi’s apartments: revelation of Daśaratha’s death and Rāma’s exile
क्व चेदानीं स धर्मात्मा कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः।
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा सीतया च समं गतः।।2.72.40।।
kva cedānīṃ sa dharmātmā kausalyānandavardhanaḥ | lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā sītayā ca samaṃ gataḥ || 2.72.40 ||
Where has that righteous-souled one—who increases Kausalyā’s joy—gone now, together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa and with Sītā?
Where has righteous Rama who enhances the delight of Kausalya along with his brother Lakshmana and Sita gone now?
FAQs
Respect for dharma is expressed through reverent inquiry: Bharata identifies Rāma primarily by righteousness, not by power or privilege.
Bharata, confused and distressed, asks where Rāma has gone, noting that Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa are with him.
Bharata’s devotion to Rāma and concern for family welfare, grounded in recognition of Rāma’s dharmic nature.