Shloka 2.76.1
दशरथस्य अन्त्येष्टि-विधानम् — Dasaratha’s Funeral Rites and Ayodhya’s Mourning
तमेवं शोकसन्तप्तं भरतं कैकयी सुतम्।उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठो वसिष्ठ श्श्रेष्ठवागृषिः।।2.76.1।।
tam evaṁ śokasantaptaṁ bharataṁ kaikayī-sutam | uvāca vadatāṁ śreṣṭho vasiṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭha-vāg ṛṣiḥ || 2.76.1 ||
Seeing Bharata—Kaikeyī’s son—thus scorched by grief, the sage Vasiṣṭha, foremost among eloquent speakers and a master of noble speech, addressed him.
Vasistha, the most eloquent and the best of ascetics said to Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi who was tormented with grief:
Even in intense grief, one should receive guidance from wise elders; dharma is sustained through disciplined listening and counsel at moments of crisis.
After Daśaratha’s death, Bharata is overwhelmed with sorrow, and Vasiṣṭha begins to address him to direct the next lawful steps.
Vasiṣṭha’s steadiness and compassionate authority—he speaks as an ethical guide who steadies a grieving prince.