Shloka 2.106.17

भरतवाक्यं—रामस्य पुनरायोध्यागमननिषेधः (Bharata’s Plea and Rama’s Refusal to Return)

Devanagari script

कैकेयीं मां च तातं च सुहृदो बान्धवांश्च नः।पौरजानपदान्सर्वांस्त्रातु सर्वमिदं भवान्।।।।

Transliteration

kaikeyīṃ māṃ ca tātaṃ ca suhṛdo bāndhavāṃś ca naḥ |

paurajānapadān sarvāṃs trātu sarvam idaṃ bhavān ||

Translation

You must protect all this—Kaikeyī, me, our father, our friends and kinsmen, and all the citizens and countryfolk—indeed, the whole realm.

Context

Protect this entire kingdom, Kaikeyi, me and father, our friends and relations, citizensof the city and inhabitants of the countryside.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rama
• Kaikeyi
• Citizens (paura)
• Countryfolk (jānapada)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma as protection: the ruler’s duty is to safeguard all stakeholders—family, allies, and especially the people—by restoring stable governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata frames Rama’s return not as personal ambition but as necessary protection of the kingdom and its social fabric.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s protective responsibility (rakṣaṇa) as the rightful guardian of the realm, extending even to Kaikeyi and Bharata himself.