Shloka 2.73.2

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

Devanagari script

किं नु कार्यं हतस्येह मम राज्येन शोचतः।विहीनस्याथ पित्रा च भ्रात्रा पितृसमेन च।।।।

Transliteration

utpannā tu kathaṃ buddhis taveyaṃ pāpadarśini |

sādhucāritravibhraṣṭe pūrveṣāṃ no vigarhitā ||

Translation

O woman whose gaze is turned toward sin, fallen from noble conduct—how could such a thought arise in you, a thought that brings reproach upon our forebears?

Context

Bereft of my father and my brother who was like a father to me, of what avail is this kingdom to me when I am grieving and fallen into misfortunes?

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kaikeyī
• Ikṣvāku ancestors (pūrvāḥ)

FAQs

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

Personal desire must not violate kula-dharma; actions that disgrace ancestral standards are condemned as adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata challenges Kaikeyī’s intention behind the exile and succession, calling it disgraceful to the Ikṣvāku lineage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for ancestral standards and moral accountability to lineage (kula-maryādā).