Shloka 2.107.19
पितृवाक्यपालनम्, गयाश्रुति-उपदेशः, भरतस्य राज्यग्रहण-निर्देशः (Rama’s Counsel on Vows, the Gaya Śruti, and Bharata’s Return to Rule)
शत्रुघ्नः कुशलमतिस्तु ते सहायस्सौमित्रिर्मम विदितः प्रधानमित्रम्।चत्वारस्तनयवरा वयं नरेन्द्रं सत्यस्थं भरत चराम मा विषीद।।2.107.19।।
evaṃ rājarṣayaḥ sarve pratītā rājanandana | tasmāt trāhi naraśreṣṭha pitaraṃ narakāt prabho || 2.107.14 ||
Thus all the royal seers are agreed, O delight of the king’s line; therefore, O best of men, O lord—save your father from hell.
O Bharata, intelligent Satrughna will be your support and son of Sumitra (Lakshmana) as is well-known will remain my best friend. All four of us, worthy sons of Dasaratha, shall follow the path of truth of our father.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē saptōttaraśatatamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the one hundredseventh sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
A son’s dharma is to protect the moral fate of the father by ensuring the father’s truth and promises are not violated.
Bharata resists kingship; Rama frames acceptance of the throne as necessary to uphold Daśaratha’s pledged boons and avert sin.
Bharata’s filial responsibility is invoked—duty over personal preference.