Shloka 2.105.30

भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality)

Devanagari script

यथा हि सार्थं गच्छन्तं ब्रूयात्कश्चित्पथि स्थितः।अहमप्यागमिष्यामि पृष्ठतो भवता मिति।।2.105.29।।एवं पूर्वैर्गतो मार्गः पितृपैतामहो ध्रुवः।तमापन्नः कथं शोचेद्यस्य नास्ति व्यतिक्रमः।।2.105.30।।

Transliteration

evaṃ pūrvair gato mārgaḥ pitṛpaitāmaho dhruvaḥ | tam āpannaḥ kathaṃ śoced yasya nāsti vyatikramaḥ || 2.105.30 ||

Translation

So too, the path taken by those before us—by fathers and forefathers—is certain. Having entered that path, how could one grieve, when there is no way to transgress or avoid it?

Context

Like a man standing on the wayside says to a passing caravan, 'I am following you', and follows them, the road taken by our fathers and forefathers is certain for every one and cannot be violated by a person treading that path. (So) why should a man grieve?

Characters & Entities

• ancestors (pūrva)
• fathers and forefathers (pitṛ-paitāmaha)

FAQs

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

Equanimity grounded in truth: since death is an unavoidable dharma of embodied life, one should grieve with measure and uphold righteous duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata concludes his analogy: death is the ancestral road that all must tread, so excessive lament is unreasonable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Stoic compassion—acknowledging sorrow while insisting on a truthful, duty-centered response.