Shloka 2.75.40
अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 75: Bharata and Kausalya—Reproach, Oaths, and Reconciliation)
कपालपाणिः पृथिवीमटतां चीरसंवृतः।भिक्षमाणो यथोन्मत्तो यस्यार्योऽनुमते गतः।।।।
vanavāsaṃ na jānāmi rāmasyāhaṃ mahātmanaḥ | vivāsanaṃ vā saumitreḥ sītāyāś ca yathā ’bhavat ||
I did not know at all about the forest-exile of great-souled Rāma, nor how the banishment of Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa) and of Sītā came to pass.
May the one who counselled the exile of my esteemed brother, wander this earth, begging alms, holding a human skull like an insane man dressed in rags!
Satya (truthfulness) is central to dharma: Bharata openly states his lack of knowledge to prevent unjust blame and to clarify moral responsibility.
Bharata, returning to Ayodhyā after Daśaratha’s death, explains that he had no part in and no prior knowledge of the decision that sent Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā to the forest.
Truthfulness and transparency—Bharata’s commitment to satya and fairness in assigning responsibility.