Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 104, Shloka 20
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य धर्मोपदेशः
Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Dharma-Reasoning
वने वा चीरवसनं सौम्य कृष्णाजिनाम्बरम्।राज्ये वाऽपि महाराजो मां वासयितुमीश्वरः।।।।
vane vā cīravasanaṃ saumya kṛṣṇājināmbaram | rājye vā ’pi mahārājo māṃ vāsayitum īśvaraḥ ||
O gentle one, whether I am to dwell in the forest wearing bark-cloth and an antelope-skin, or in the kingdom itself—only the great king has the authority to settle me so.
O handsome one, king Dasaratha is alone competent to accommodate me in the forest wearing bark robes and antelope skin as garment or install me in the kingdom.
FAQs
Fidelity to paternal authority and truth: Rama frames his life-placement (forest or throne) as determined by the rightful king/father’s command, not personal desire.
Rama clarifies to Bharata that his residence—ascetic exile or royal life—depends on the sovereign authority of the great king (Daśaratha), i.e., the binding nature of the father’s word.
Rama’s unwavering adherence to satya and duty—he accepts hardship as legitimate when grounded in rightful command.