Shloka 2.51.11
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Guha’s Vigil and Lakṣmaṇa’s Lament (Night on the riverbank)
यो मन्त्रतपसा लब्धो विविधैश्च पराश्रमैः।एको दशरथस्येष्टः पुत्रः सदृशलक्षणः।।।।अस्मिन् प्रव्राजिते राजा न चिरं वर्तयिष्यति।विधवा मेदिनी नूनं क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति।।।।
yo mantratapasā labdho vividhaiś ca parāśramaiḥ |
eko daśarathasyeṣṭaḥ putraḥ sadṛśalakṣaṇaḥ ||
asmin pravrājite rājā na ciraṃ vartayiṣyati |
vidhavā medinī nūnaṃ kṣipram eva bhaviṣyati ||
That son—Daśaratha’s one beloved, marked with qualities like his father—was obtained through mantra-aided austerities and many strenuous efforts. If he has been banished, the king will not live long; surely the earth itself will soon become a widow.
This favourite son of Dasaratha who has similar traits like his father was born after he rigorously practised austerities accompanied by (Vedic) mantras. When he is banished, the king will not live long. Surely this land will soon be widowed.
It highlights the dharmic bond between a righteous king and a righteous heir: when Dharma is disrupted (Rāma’s unjust exile), the stability of the realm and the king’s life-force are endangered.
Bharata senses calamity in Ayodhyā and reasons that Rāma’s exile will break Daśaratha, leading to the kingdom’s bereavement.
Bharata’s compassion and moral clarity—he recognizes Rāma’s worth and foresees the adharma-driven consequences for family and state.