Shloka 2.26.24
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
सोऽहं त्वामागतो द्रष्टुं प्रस्थितो विजनं वनम्।भरतस्य समीपे तु नाहं कथ्यः कदाचन।।।।बुद्धियुक्ता हि पुरुषा न सहन्ते परस्तवम्।तस्मान्नते गुणाः कथ्या भरतस्याग्रतो मम।।।।
so ’haṃ tvām āgato draṣṭuṃ prasthito vijanaṃ vanam |
bharatasya samīpe tu nāhaṃ kathyaḥ kadācana ||
buddhiyuktā hi puruṣā na sahante parastavam |
tasmān na te guṇāḥ kathyā bharatasyāgrato mama ||
Thus I have come to see you, as I am about to depart for the lonely forest. In Bharata’s presence you must never speak of me, for wise men do not endure another being praised before them. Therefore, do not recount my virtues in front of Bharata.
I have come to see you before departing for the desolate Dandaka forest. You should never praise me in the presence of Bharata because intellectuals cannot tolerate others being praised before them. You should never extol my virtues before him.
Dharma here is social restraint (maryādā): speaking in ways that avoid provoking jealousy or conflict, especially in a tense succession context.
Before leaving for exile, Rāma counsels Sītā on how to conduct herself at court, particularly regarding Bharata.
Humility and foresight: Rāma avoids self-glorification and seeks to prevent discord.