Shloka 2.100.74

शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma (Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare)

Devanagari script

यां वृत्तिं वर्तते तातो यां च नः प्रपितामहाः।तां वृत्तिं वर्तसे कच्चिद्याच सत्पथगा शुभा।।।।

Transliteration

yāṃ vṛttiṃ vartate tāto yāṃ ca naḥ prapitāmahāḥ | tāṃ vṛttiṃ vartase kaccid yā ca satpathagā śubhā ||

Translation

My child, do you indeed follow the same course of conduct our father follows, and that our forefathers followed—an auspicious way that walks the true path?

Context

I trust, you walk the auspicious path of truth (virtue) followed by our father and forefathers.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha (implied as ‘father’)
• Ikṣvāku ancestors (forefathers)
• Satpatha (true path)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is preserved through living tradition: one should walk the ‘satpatha’ upheld by righteous elders, not invent self-serving norms.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma urges Bharata to remain anchored in the Ikṣvāku standard of conduct, especially amid political crisis and succession conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fidelity to maryādā (normative righteousness) and respect for ancestral exemplars.