Shloka 2.105.33
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality)
भृत्यानां भरणात्सम्यक्प्रजानां परिपालनात्।अर्थादानाच्च धर्मेण पिता न स्त्रिदिवंगतः।।2.105.33।।
bhṛtyānāṃ bharaṇāt samyak prajānāṃ paripālanāt | arthādānāc ca dharmeṇa pitā naḥ tridivaṃ gataḥ || 2.105.33 ||
By rightly supporting his dependents, by protecting his subjects, and by accepting revenue in accordance with dharma, our father attained heaven.
Our father nourished his dependents, splendidly governed his subjects and accepted wealth through righteous ways. Because of these pious acts, he could go to heaven.
Rājadharma: a ruler’s righteousness is shown through care for dependents, protection of subjects, and just collection of wealth—governance itself becomes a moral act when aligned with dharma.
After Daśaratha’s death, Bharata speaks to his brother to reframe grief through the king’s dharmic life and its auspicious outcome.
Bharata’s steadiness and ethical reasoning—he uses dharma-based reflection to console and to discourage uncontrolled mourning.