Shloka 2.77.7
और्ध्वदैहिकक्रिया-शोकविलापः (Obsequies for Daśaratha and the Brothers’ Lament)
यस्या गतिरनाथायाः पुत्रः प्रवाजितो वनम्।तामम्बां तात कौसल्यां त्यक्त्वा त्वं क्व गतो नृप।।।।
yasyā gatir anāthāyāḥ putraḥ pravājito vanam | tām ambāṃ tāta kausalyāṃ tyaktvā tvaṃ kva gato nṛpa ||
Father—where have you gone, O king, abandoning mother Kausalyā without a protector, whose only refuge—her son—has been driven to the forest?
Where have you gone, my king! my father!, forsaking mother Kausalya who is without a protector and whose only support Rama, her son has been sent away to the forest?
Dharma as protection: a king/father is expected to safeguard dependents; Bharata grieves that Kausalyā is left vulnerable while Rāma is exiled.
Bharata addresses his deceased father, lamenting Kausalyā’s abandonment and Rāma’s exile.
Compassion and familial responsibility—Bharata’s concern centers on Kausalyā’s welfare, not his own gain.