Valmiki Ramayana 2.82.13: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 82, Shloka 13
भरतस्य धर्मप्रतिज्ञा तथा रामनिवर्तनयात्रा
Bharata’s Vow of Dharma and the Expedition to Recall Rama
Spoken by BharataSetting: Ayodhya (royal assembly context)
ज्येष्ठ श्श्रेष्ठश्च धर्मात्मा दिलीपनहुषोपमः ।
लब्धुमर्हति काकुत्स्थो राज्यं दशरथो यथा ॥१३॥
jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaś ca dharmātmā dilīpa-nahuṣopamaḥ |
labdhum arhati kākutstho rājyaṃ daśaratho yathā ||13||
Rāma aus dem Geschlecht der Kakutstha—der Erstgeborene, der Beste und Rechtschaffene, Dilīpa und Nahuṣa vergleichbar—verdient dieses Königreich zu erlangen, wie es einst Daśaratha tat.
Sandhi Notes
- ज्येष्ठ श्श्रेष्ठश्च → ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठः च (ः + श)
- दिलीपनहुषोपमः treated as dvandva + upama
- labdhumarhati → लब्धुम् अर्हति (म् + अ)
The eldest, eminent and righteous Rama, the scion of the Kakutstha dynasty, who is comparable to Dilipa and Nahusha deserves to inherit this kingdom just as Dasaratha did.
The teaching
Rājya is not a prize of intrigue; it belongs to the one whose life embodies dharma and whose claim is legitimate within kula and rājadharma.
Duties in tension
- Obedience to a contested coronation arrangement vs. upholding rightful succession (rājadharma)
- Family loyalty vs. public legitimacy of rule
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / legitimacy
- How it resolves
- Affirmation of rightful adhikāra based on dharma and seniority
Devotion and practice
Contemplation on Rāma as dharma-ideal; supports satya-niṣṭhā and integrity in leadership.
- Deity praised
- Rama (as dharmātmā, ideal king)
- Form of praise
- Stuti (a hymn of praise)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Legitimizing, dignified, resolute
Themes
- Dharma
- Rajadharma
- Lineage
- Maryada
- Itihasa
Adhikāra is grounded in guṇa and dharma: the fit person is the one aligned with satya and dharma, echoing the idea that authority follows inner qualification rather than mere possession.
Rājya as an outer form of order mirrors the Upaniṣadic emphasis on ṛta/satya as the true sovereignty (satyaṃ vada, dharmaṃ cara).
- Rama and Dasharatha
- Son-father; rightful succession (reverential)
- Rama and Dilipa
- Exemplary-king comparison (dharma-ideal) (laudatory)
- Rama and Nahusha
- Exemplary-king comparison (royal archetype) (laudatory)
Valmiki Ramayana 2.82.16 (Rama alone as king; three worlds); Valmiki Ramayana 2.12 (Ayodhya-kanda: succession dispute framing)
Mahābhārata Śānti Parva (rājadharma: king as dharma-incarnate); Rāmacaritamānasa Ayodhyākāṇḍa (Bharata’s insistence on Rama’s right)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Dasaratha’s prior coronation intent; Rama’s qualities praised by citizens and ministers
Anuṣṭup
Commanding
Udātta-prāya (firm, elevated cadence)
FAQs
Rightful succession is tied to both birth-order and merit: Bharata frames kingship as a dhārmic trust earned by righteousness and continuity with exemplary ancestors.
Bharata argues before the court that Rāma alone is fit to inherit, supporting his claim through lineage ideals and moral excellence.
Justice and reverence for tradition: Bharata upholds the standards set by ancestral exemplars rather than personal advantage.
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