Shloka 2.74.13
भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः (Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum)
किं नावबुध्यसे क्रूरे नियतं बन्धुसंश्रयम्।ज्येष्ठं पितृसमं रामं कौसल्यायाऽत्मसम्भवम्।।।।
kiṃ nāvabudhyase krūre niyataṃ bandhusaṃśrayam | jyeṣṭhaṃ pitṛsamaṃ rāmaṃ kausalyāyā ātmasambhavam ||
O cruel one, do you not understand? Rāma—Kausalyā’s own-born son—is the eldest, self-restrained, equal to my father, and a refuge for his kin.
O cruel one! why do you not realise that Rama, born of Kausalya, is the eldest son and equal to my father? He is self-restrained and a refuge to his kith and kin.
Dharma upholds rightful order and protection: the eldest, virtuous heir is portrayed as the stabilizing refuge of family and society.
Bharata argues that Kaikeyi’s scheme ignores Rama’s established status and virtues.
Rama’s niyama/self-restraint and his role as protector of relatives (bandhu-saṃśraya).