Shloka 2.106.9

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

Devanagari script

धर्मबन्धेन बद्धोऽस्मि तेनेमां नेह मातरम्।हन्मितीव्रेण दण्डेन दण्डार्हां पापकारिणीम्।।।।

Transliteration

dharmabandhena baddho 'smi tenemāṃ neha mātaram | hanmi tīvreṇa daṇḍena daṇḍārhāṃ pāpakāriṇīm ||

Translation

I am bound by the bond of dharma; therefore I do not strike my mother here, though she has sinned and deserves severe punishment.

Context

I am bound by a bond of righteousness for which I am unble to slay my mother who deserves severe punishment for her sinful acts.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rāma
• Kaikeyī (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma restrains vengeance: even when punishment seems deserved, duties toward one’s mother impose limits on action.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata expresses outrage at his mother’s wrongdoing but explains why he cannot retaliate violently due to dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint and adherence to familial dharma despite moral anger.