Shloka 2.73.9
भरतस्य कैकेय्याः प्रति धिक्कारः — Bharata’s Rebuke of Kaikeyi and Affirmation of Ikshvaku Royal Dharma
ननुत्वार्योऽपि धर्मात्मा त्वयि वृतिमनुत्तमाम्।वर्तते गुरुवृत्तिज्ञो यथा मातरि वर्तते।।।।
nanu tv āryo 'pi dharmātmā tvayi vṛttim anuttamām |
vartate guruvṛttijño yathā mātari vartate ||
And yet Rama—noble and righteous, well-versed in the proper conduct toward elders—behaved toward you with flawless propriety, just as he would toward his own mother.
My noble and righteous brother (Rama), who is well aware of his duties to the elders conducted himself before you as he would before his own mother.
Maryādā (propriety) toward elders is upheld as dharma: Rama’s respectful conduct is presented as the standard, irrespective of how Kaikeyi later behaved.
Bharata contrasts Rama’s flawless respect toward Kaikeyi with her betrayal, intensifying the moral indictment.
Rama’s guru- and elder-respect (guruvṛtti) and disciplined courtesy, even in a politically tense household.