Shloka 31
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
राम॑ तु गतमाज्ञाय राजानं च तथागतम् | आनाय्य भरतं देवी कैकेयी वाक्यमब्रवीत्,श्रीरामचन्द्रजी वनमें चले गये तथा राजा परलोकवासी हो गये, यह देखकर कैकेयीने भरतको ननिहालसे बुलवाया और इस प्रकार कहा--
rāmaṁ tu gatam ājñāya rājānaṁ ca tathāgatam | ānāyya bharataṁ devī kaikeyī vākyam abravīt ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: When Queen Kaikeyī learned that Rāma had departed to the forest and that the king too had likewise passed away, she had Bharata summoned from his maternal home and spoke these words.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ethically fraught choices in pursuit of power can precipitate irreversible harm—exile, death, and social disorder—thereby placing a renewed burden of dharma on those who must respond (here, Bharata) to restore righteousness and stability.
After Rāma has left for the forest and the king has died, Kaikeyī sends for Bharata from his maternal relatives and begins to address him, setting up the next development concerning the throne and Bharata’s response.