Shloka 2.69.16

भरतस्य दुःस्वप्नदर्शनम् — Bharata’s Ominous Dream

Devanagari script

प्रहसन्तीव राजानं प्रमदा रक्तवासिनी।प्रकर्षन्ती मया दृष्टा राक्षसी विकृतानना।।।।

Transliteration

prahasantīva rājānaṃ pramadā raktavāsinī | prakarṣantī mayā dṛṣṭā rākṣasī vikṛtānanā ||

Translation

I saw a hideous rākṣasī-woman, clothed in red, dragging the king away while seeming to mock him—an emblem of hostile forces overpowering rightful sovereignty.

Context

Finally I beheld a demoness attired in red clothes with an ugly appearance, dragging the king away as if mocking at him.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• rājā (Daśaratha, implied)
• rākṣasī (demoness)

FAQs

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

Dharma is threatened by ‘adharmic’ forces symbolized by the rākṣasī. The moral thrust is that when unrighteousness appears to seize authority, the duty of the righteous is to resist through truth, restraint, and rightful succession—not through opportunism.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata continues narrating the dream’s climax: a demonic figure drags the king away, reinforcing Bharata’s conviction that a grave calamity is imminent or already occurring.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral alarm and protective resolve: Bharata’s mind immediately turns to the safety of the king and the preservation of righteous order.