Shloka 2.73.16

भरतस्य कैकेय्याः प्रति धिक्कारः — Bharata’s Rebuke of Kaikeyi and Affirmation of Ikshvaku Royal Dharma

Devanagari script

सोऽहं कथमिमं भारं महाधुर्यसमुद्धृतम्।दम्योधुरमिवाऽऽसाद्य वहेयं केनचौजसा।। ।।

Transliteration

so 'haṃ katham imaṃ bhāraṃ mahā-dhurya-samuddhṛtam | damyaḥ dhuram ivā 'sādya vaheyaṃ kena caujasā || 2.73.16 ||

Translation

How could I bear this burden, fit only for a great bull well set to the yoke? Like an untrained young bull faced with a heavy yoke, by what strength could I carry it?

Context

Like a young untrained bullock that cannot carry the weight fit for a great bull, with what strength can I bear this burden?

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• kingdom burden (implied)
• yoke (dhura)
• bullock simile (damya)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires fitness for responsibility; accepting rulership without rightful capacity and legitimacy is portrayed as improper and dangerous.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata expresses his unworthiness to shoulder the kingdom’s burden in Rāma’s absence, using a vivid agrarian metaphor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-knowledge and humility—Bharata refuses inflated self-assessment and recognizes the true standard of leadership.