Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 26, Shloka 24
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः
Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
सोऽहं त्वामागतो द्रष्टुं प्रस्थितो विजनं वनम्।भरतस्य समीपे तु नाहं कथ्यः कदाचन।।।।बुद्धियुक्ता हि पुरुषा न सहन्ते परस्तवम्।तस्मान्नते गुणाः कथ्या भरतस्याग्रतो मम।।।।
so ’haṃ tvām āgato draṣṭuṃ prasthito vijanaṃ vanam |
bharatasya samīpe tu nāhaṃ kathyaḥ kadācana ||
buddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahante parastavam |
tasmān na te guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgrato mama ||
আমি নির্জন বনে যাত্রা করার আগে তোমাকে দেখতে এসেছি। ভরতের সামনে কখনও আমার কথা বলো না; বুদ্ধিমান মানুষ নিজের সামনে অন্যের প্রশংসা সহ্য করে না। তাই ভরতের সম্মুখে আমার গুণগান করো না।
I have come to see you before departing for the desolate Dandaka forest. You should never praise me in the presence of Bharata because intellectuals cannot tolerate others being praised before them. You should never extol my virtues before him.
FAQs
Dharma here is social restraint (maryādā): speaking in ways that avoid provoking jealousy or conflict, especially in a tense succession context.
Before leaving for exile, Rāma counsels Sītā on how to conduct herself at court, particularly regarding Bharata.
Humility and foresight: Rāma avoids self-glorification and seeks to prevent discord.