Shloka 2.37.34

अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः (Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition)

Devanagari script

अथोत्तमान्याभरणानि देविदेहि स्नुषायै व्यपनीय चीरम्।न चीरमस्याः प्रविधीयतेतिन्यवारयत्तद्वसनं वसिष्टः।।2.37.34।।

Transliteration

yadyapi tvaṁ kṣititalād gaganaṁ cotpatiṣyasi | pitṛrvaṁśa-caritrajñaḥ so 'nyathā na kariṣyati || 2.37.31 ||

Translation

Even if you could leap from the earth into the sky, Bharata—knower of the conduct and tradition of his father’s line—will not act otherwise.

Context

O Kaikeyi! remove those bark robes and bestow on your daughter-in-law precious ornaments. She was not ordained to wear the bark. Vaisishta, saying so, prevented Sita from wearing that garment.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kaikeyī
• dynastic tradition (pitṛvaṁśa-caritra)

FAQs

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

Faith in kuladharma and satya: Bharata’s righteousness is grounded in ancestral standards of conduct, making him unwilling to pursue an unrighteous gain.

What is the narrative situation?

An elder warns Kaikeyī that her plan will fail because Bharata will refuse to act against the dynasty’s dharmic tradition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s integrity—loyalty to dharma over personal advantage.