Shloka 2.73.22

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

Devanagari script

सततं राजवृत्ते हि ज्येष्ठो राज्येऽभिषिच्यते।राज्ञामेतत्समं तत्स्यादिक्ष्वाकूणां विशेषतः।।।।

Transliteration

satataṃ rājavṛtte hi jyeṣṭho rājye 'bhiṣicyate |

rājñām etat samaṃ tat syād ikṣvākūṇāṃ viśeṣataḥ ||

Translation

By established royal practice, the eldest is always consecrated to rule. This principle holds for kings in general, and it applies with particular force to the Ikṣvāku line.

Context

According to the established law of royalty, the eldest son is invariably crowned in the kingdom. This is true of all kings. This is a special tradition of the kings of theIkshvaku race.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kaikeyī
• Ikṣvāku dynasty
• Rāma (implicit as eldest)

FAQs

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

Social and political dharma depends on continuity of rightful norms; stable succession is presented as a dharmic safeguard.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata appeals to universal royal precedent and the special Ikṣvāku standard to refute Kaikeyī’s scheme.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for precedent and lawful order (ācāra-niṣṭhā).