Shloka 2.12.60
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
नृशंसे पापसङ्कल्पे क्षुद्रे दुष्कृतकारिणि।।।।किन्नु दुखमलीकं वा मयि रामे च पश्यसि।
na kathañcid ṛte rāmād bharato rājyam āvaset |
rāmād api hi taṃ manye dharmato balavattaram ||
Bharata would never accept the kingdom if it meant setting Rāma aside; indeed, I deem him even stronger than Rāma in righteousness (dharma).
O cruel one, O woman of sinful resolve, O vile (creature), O woman of evil deeds, what wrong or sin do you really see in Rama or in me.
Legitimate rule cannot be built on injustice; Bharata’s dharma is portrayed as refusing gain that comes from violating rightful succession and truth.
Daśaratha argues that Kaikeyī’s plan is self-defeating because Bharata himself would reject a throne obtained by wronging Rāma.
Bharata’s integrity and dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in righteousness).