Shloka 2.111.16

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः (Sarga 111: Counsel on Gurus, Parental Debt, and Bharata’s Protest)

Devanagari script

तमुवाच महातेजा रामो राजर्षिसत्तमः।किं मां भरत कुर्वाणं तात प्रत्युपवेक्ष्यसि।।।।

Transliteration

tam uvāca mahātejā rāmo rājarṣisattamaḥ | kiṃ māṃ bharata kurvāṇaṃ tāta pratyupavekṣyasi ||

Translation

Rama, mighty in splendor, the best among royal sages, said to him: “Dear Bharata, what wrong have I done that you would lie down in protest before me and block my way?”

Context

Rama, the foremost of royal sages and highly powerful said, 'Dear Bharata, what wrong have I done that you should prevent me by lying down in front of me?'

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Bharata
• pratyupaveśana (protest by lying down)

FAQs

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

Rama questions coercive righteousness: even a good end (restoring kingship) should not be pursued through improper pressure, especially against one who is acting within dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Seeing Bharata’s protest posture, Rama directly challenges the legitimacy of such an act against him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s moral clarity and restraint—he refuses to be compelled by emotional or physical pressure.