Shloka 2.106.13
भरतवाक्यं—रामस्य पुनरायोध्यागमननिषेधः (Bharata’s Plea and Rama’s Refusal to Return)
अन्तकाले हि भूतानि मुह्यन्तीति पुरा श्रुतिः।राज्ञैवं कुर्वता लोके प्रत्यक्षं सा श्रुतिः कृता।।।।
antakāle hi bhūtāni muhyantīti purā śrutiḥ |
rājñā evaṃ kurvatā loke pratyakṣaṃ sā śrutiḥ kṛtā ||
An ancient saying is heard: at the time of death, beings fall into bewilderment; by acting thus, the king has made that saying plainly visible in this world.
There is an ancient saying that at the time of death, the intellect of people is deluded. By conducting himself in this way, king Dasaratha has proved it.
Dharma recognizes human frailty: Bharata interprets Dasaratha’s decision as impaired judgment near death, implying that dharma may require correction of outcomes born from delusion.
Bharata explains the king’s harmful decision as a manifestation of end-of-life confusion, strengthening his plea that Rama should rectify the situation.
Discernment with compassion: Bharata critiques the act while indirectly softening blame by attributing it to delusion at death.