Shloka 2.105.8

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

Devanagari script

यथा तु रोपितो वृक्षः पुरुषेण विवर्धितः।ह्रस्वकेण दुरारोहो रूढस्कन्धो महाद्रुमः।।2.105.8।।स यदा पुष्पितो भूत्वा फलानि न विदर्शयेत्।स तां नानुभवेत्प्रीतिं यस्य हेतोः प्ररोपितः।।2.105.9।।एषोपमा महाबाहो तमर्थं वेत्तु मर्हसि।यदि त्वमस्मान्वृषभो भर्ता भृत्यान्न शाधि हि।।2.105.10।।

Transliteration

yathā tu ropito vṛkṣaḥ puruṣeṇa vivardhitaḥ |

hrasvakena durāroho rūḍha-skandho mahādrumaḥ ||2.105.8||

sa yadā puṣpito bhūtvā phalāni na vidarśayet |

sa tāṃ nānubhavet prītiṃ yasya hetoḥ praropitaḥ ||2.105.9||

eṣopamā mahābāho tam arthaṃ vettu marhasi |

yadi tvam asmān vṛṣabho bhartā bhṛtyān na śādhi hi ||2.105.10||

Translation

O mighty-armed one: as a man plants a tree and rears it until it becomes a great tree with a firm trunk, hard even for a dwarf to climb—if, though it blossoms, it shows no fruit, the planter finds no joy in the very purpose for which it was planted. Such is the simile; grasp its meaning. If you, our strong protector, do not rule us—your dependents—then our father’s nurtured hope comes to nothing.

Context

O mighty-armed Rama, a man plants a tree, rears it till it grows into such a large tree with a big trunk that it becomes difficult for a dwarf to climb. When the tree flowers but does not bear fruit, the man who planted it gets no pleasure out of the purpose for which the tree was planted. Being a mighty protector, do not chastise us who are yourservants. This is a simile. You may better comprehend its implications.(The meaning of the simile is that if you do not assume the throne, the desire of our father, who nurtured you right from your childhood and hoped that one day you will become king and rule the people, will be in vain.)

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rāma
• Daśaratha (implied as the 'planter/nurturer' in the simile)

FAQs

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

It argues for rāja-dharma as the fruition of upbringing and social duty: capability and nurturing should culminate in service to the kingdom, otherwise the moral purpose of that nurture is left unfulfilled.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata uses a vivid simile—an unfruitful blossoming tree—to persuade Rāma that refusing kingship would render Daśaratha’s lifelong hopes and efforts fruitless.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s persuasive wisdom and devotion to the realm’s welfare, coupled with reverence for Daśaratha’s intention.