Shloka 2.69.9

भरतस्य दुःस्वप्नदर्शनम् — Bharata’s Ominous Dream

Devanagari script

प्लवमानश्च मे दृष्टस्स तस्मिन्गोमयह्रदे।पिबन्नञ्जलिना तैलं हसन्नपि मुहुर्मुहुः।।।।

Transliteration

imāṃ ca dussvapna-gatiṃ niśāmyatām aneka-rūpām avitarkitāṃ purā |

bhayaṃ mahat tad hṛdayān na yāti me vicintya rājānam acintya-darśanam ||

Translation

Having recognized this course of a dreadful dream—manifold in its forms and never imagined before—and reflecting on the king whose condition is beyond comprehension, a great fear does not leave my heart.

Context

I saw my father floating in that pool of cow - dung, drinking oil with cupped palms and bursting into laughter again and again.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Dasharatha (as ‘the king’)
• nightmare (duḥsvapna)

FAQs

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

Dharma is moral wakefulness: Bharata’s fear is not mere panic but a conscientious response to signs that the king’s well-being and the realm’s order may be threatened.

What is the narrative situation?

After recounting the dream, Bharata explains that the strange, unprecedented images and thoughts about the king’s inexplicable state leave him unable to shake off fear.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsibility and truth-oriented concern—Bharata’s mind turns from entertainment to the serious implications for the king and dharma.