Shloka 2.106.20

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

Devanagari script

कश्च प्रत्यक्षमुत्सृज्य संशयस्थ मलक्षणम्।आयतिस्थं चरे द्धर्मं क्षत्रबन्दुरनिश्चितम्।।।।

Transliteration

kaś ca pratyakṣam utsṛjya saṁśayastham alakṣaṇam |

āyatisthaṁ cared dharmaṁ kṣatrabandhur aniścitam ||

Translation

And who, being a kṣatriya, would abandon the evident, immediate duty and instead pursue an uncertain “piety” that is doubtful and ill-omened, whose results lie in a distant future?

Context

Will any kshatriya, setting aside his first duty, follow an uncertain course of piety which is contrary to his dharma and whose impact may be felt in a remote future.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rama
• kṣatriya

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as one’s immediate, role-based obligation (svadharma), not a speculative or inappropriate path that neglects present responsibilities.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata challenges the idea that Rama should avoid kingship; he argues that forsaking manifest royal duty for uncertain alternatives is improper for a kṣatriya.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s moral clarity and insistence on svadharma—he prioritizes responsible governance over ambiguous ideals.