Shloka 2.113.8
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च (The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya)
एवमुक्त स्स तु ततो भरद्वाजेन धीमता।प्रत्युवाच भरद्वाजं भरतो धर्मवत्सलः।।।।
evam uktaḥ sa tu tato bharadvājena dhīmatā | pratyuvāca bharadvājaṃ bharato dharmavatsalaḥ ||
Thus addressed by the wise Bharadvāja, Bharata—devoted to righteousness—then replied to Bharadvāja.
Having been thus addressed by wise Bharadwaja, Bharata, devoted to righteousness, replied:
Bharata is explicitly marked as dharmavatsala—devoted to dharma—signaling that his response and choices are to be understood through the lens of righteousness and truthfulness.
The narration transitions from Bharadvāja’s question to Bharata’s reply, highlighting Bharata’s moral disposition before he speaks.
Bharata’s steadfast commitment to dharma—his identity is defined by ethical loyalty rather than ambition.