Shloka 2.104.22

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

Devanagari script

एताभ्यां धर्मशीलाभ्यां वनं गच्छेति राघव।मातापितृभ्यामुक्तोऽहं कथमन्यत्समाचरे।।।।

Transliteration

etābhyāṁ dharmaśīlābhyāṁ vanaṁ gaccheti rāghava |

mātāpitṛbhyām ukto ’haṁ katham anyat samācaret ||

Translation

O Rāghava (Bharata)! I have been told by these two—my righteous mother and father—‘Go to the forest.’ How could I act in any other way?

Context

O Bharata, I have been commanded by our righteous father and mother to go to the forest. How can any one act otherwise?

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Bharata
• Dasharatha
• Kausalya

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as steadfast obedience to a rightful command from parents/elders, even when it brings personal hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama justifies his forest-dwelling as a direct compliance with the parental command, addressing Bharata’s concerns.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya-niṣṭhā (commitment to truth/pledge) and guru-vākya-pālana (upholding the word of elders).