Shloka 2.101.1

भरतस्य धर्मनिश्चयः — Bharata Affirms Lineage-Dharma and Urges Rama’s Coronation

Devanagari script

रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा भरतः प्रत्युवाच ह।किं मे धर्माद्विहीनस्य राजधर्मः करिष्यति।।2.101.1।।

Transliteration

rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā bharataḥ pratyuvāca ha | kiṃ me dharmād vihīnasya rājadharmaḥ kariṣyati ||

Translation

Hearing Rāma’s words, Bharata replied: “What use are royal duties to me, when I am cut off from dharma?”

Context

On listening to Rama, Bharata replied Of what use shall be these royal duties to me, when I have fallen from righteousness?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Dharma
• Rājadharma

FAQs

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

Authority without righteousness is meaningless; rājadharma has value only when grounded in personal integrity and moral legitimacy.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata responds to Rāma’s counsel by expressing moral anguish and refusing to accept a kingship he views as tainted by adharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Conscience and humility—Bharata prioritizes dharma over power.