Shloka 2.104.13

भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य धर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Dharma-Reasoning)

Devanagari script

तदिदं शाश्वतं पित्र्यं सर्वं प्रकृतिमण्डलम्।पूजितं पुरुषव्याघ्र नातिक्रमितुमर्हसि।।।।

Transliteration

tad idaṃ śāśvataṃ pitryaṃ sarvaṃ prakṛtimaṇḍalam | pūjitaṃ puruṣavyāghra nātikramitum arhasi ||

Translation

Therefore, O tiger among men, you should not override this entire venerable body of subjects—an ancient, hereditary order that stands honored.

Context

O best among men, it does not behove you to transgress the prayers of the whole order of subjects and ministers to assume this hereditary and perpetual order.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Bharata
• subjects (prakṛti)
• ministers (implied by context)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma and respect for the collective: the ruler should honor the legitimate civic order—subjects and ministers—rather than dismissing their righteous appeal.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata argues that Rama should not disregard the united request of the kingdom’s people and leadership who seek Rama’s rightful governance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s sense of constitutional dharma—he treats the people’s mandate and ancestral norms as morally weighty.