Shloka 2.104.18
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य धर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Dharma-Reasoning)
कामकारो महाप्राज्ञ गुरूणां सर्वदाऽनघ।उपपन्नेषु दारेषु पुत्रेषु च विधीयते।।।।
kāmakāro mahāprājña gurūṇāṃ sarvadā ’nagha | upapanneṣu dāreṣu putreṣu ca vidhīyate ||
O greatly wise and sinless one, it is taught that elders may act according to their own will in dealing with their wives and their sons, once these are duly established.
O sagacious and sinless one, it is laid down (in sastras) that elders when married can always act at their free will towards their wives and sons.
Acceptance of legitimate elder authority: dharma-text tradition grants elders discretionary authority within the household order, urging the younger to respond without resentment.
Rama frames the crisis within a broader dharmic norm: elders’ decisions in family matters carry binding force, even when painful.
Rama’s commitment to śāstric reasoning and calm instruction rather than emotional retaliation.