Shloka 2.19.26

एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency

Devanagari script

भरतः पालयेद्राज्यं शुश्रूषेच्च पितुर्यथा।तथा भवत्या कर्तव्यं स हि धर्म स्सनातनः।।2.19.26।।

Transliteration

bharataḥ pālayed rājyaṃ śuśrūṣec ca pitur yathā | tathā bhavatyā kartavyaṃ sa hi dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ ||2.19.26||

Translation

Let Bharata rule the kingdom and serve his father as is proper; so too must you act, for that is the eternal dharma.

Context

It is your bounden duty to see that Bharata rules the kingdom and serves father.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• kingdom (rājya)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma is inseparable from filial duty: ruling must be paired with service to elders and moral accountability.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma, accepting exile, instructs Kaikeyī about Bharata’s proper conduct as king and son.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Concern for moral governance and family order even amid personal loss.