Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 54
भरतस्य मातृसदनगमनं कैकेय्या दारुणवृत्तान्तकथनं च
Bharata in Kaikeyi’s apartments: revelation of Daśaratha’s death and Rāma’s exile
तत्पुत्र! शीघ्रं विधिना विधिज्ञैर्वसिष्ठमुख्यैः सहितो द्विजेन्द्रैः।
संकाल्य राजानमदीनसत्त्वमात्मानमुर्व्यामभिषेचयस्व॥
tatputra! śīghraṃ vidhinā vidhijñair vasiṣṭhamukhyaiḥ sahito dvijendraiḥ |
saṅkālya rājānam adīnasattvam ātmānam urvyām abhiṣecayasva ||
Therefore, my son—together with the foremost brahmins headed by Vasiṣṭha, who are expert in ritual—quickly perform the king’s funeral rites according to proper procedure; and, without letting your spirit sink, have yourself consecrated as king over this earth.
Therefore, my son, under the guidance of Vasistha and other noble brahmins, well-versed in rituals, quickly perform the funeral obsequies in accordance with tradition and without getting depressed in spirit, get yourself coronated as lord of this earth.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē dvisaptatitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the seventysecond sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
It prioritizes procedural and social dharma: first complete the king’s last rites with qualified priests, then assume kingship. It also urges steadiness of mind (not falling into despair) while performing duty.
After Daśaratha’s death, Bharata is urged (by Kaikeyi, in context) to carry out the funeral obsequies under Vasiṣṭha and then accept coronation.
Dhairya (steadfastness) and duty-bound action—performing rites and governance responsibilities without being overwhelmed by grief.