Shloka 2.106.22

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

Devanagari script

चतुर्णामाश्रमाणां हि गार्हस्थ्यं श्रेष्ठमुत्तमम्।आहुर्धर्मज्ञ धर्मज्ञास्तं कथं त्यक्तु मर्हसि।।।।

Transliteration

caturṇām āśramāṇāṁ hi gārhasthyaṁ śreṣṭham uttamam |

āhur dharmajña dharmajñās taṁ kathaṁ tyaktum arhasi ||

Translation

Among the four āśramas, the knowers of dharma declare the householder’s life to be the best and highest. O knower of dharma, how can you be fit to abandon it?

Context

O Rama, you are the one who knows his duty. The knowers of dharma maintain thatthe life of a householder is the foremost among the four modes of life. How can you renounce it?

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rama
• āśrama
• gārhasthya

FAQs

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

Dharma is linked to sustaining society: the householder stage supports other āśramas through protection, charity, and stable governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata argues against renunciation by reminding Rama that authoritative tradition praises gārhasthya as the foremost āśrama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s dharma-competence (dharmajñatā), which Bharata invokes to persuade him to uphold social responsibility.