Shloka 2.75.39

अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 75: Bharata and Kausalya—Reproach, Oaths, and Reconciliation)

Devanagari script

सङ्ग्रमे समुपोढे स्म शत्रुपक्षभयङ्करे।पलायामानो वध्येत यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।

Transliteration

saṅgrame samupoḍhe sma śatrupakṣabhayaṅkare | palāyamāno vadhyeta yasyāryo ’numate gataḥ ||

Translation

May the man by whose consent my noble brother was exiled meet the fate of a warrior who, though terrifying to the enemy, is slain while fleeing when the battle reaches its height.

Context

May the one who counselled the exile of my esteemed brother acquire the same sin like a warrior, dreadful to the enemy side who will be slain while fleeing from the war at its peak!

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rāma
• Battle (saṅgrāma)
• Enemy side (śatru-pakṣa)

FAQs

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

For a kṣatriya, dharma includes steadfastness in crisis; fleeing at the decisive moment is dishonorable and invites ruin.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata uses a martial analogy to portray the instigator’s moral failure as cowardice at the peak of duty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and steadfastness—qualities Bharata implicitly associates with Rāma’s righteous path.