Shloka 2.81.5
एकाशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Grief, Courtly Summons, and the Assembly Hall
पश्य शत्रुघ्न कैकेय्या लोकस्यापकृतं महत्।विसृज्य मयि दुःखानि राजा दशरथो गतः।।।।
paśya śatrughna kaikeyyā lokasyāpakṛtaṃ mahat |
visṛjya mayi duḥkhāni rājā daśaratho gataḥ ||
“See, Śatrughna, what great harm Kaikeyī has done to the people. King Daśaratha has departed, leaving the burden of suffering upon me.”
O Satrughna! see what great harm has been done to these people at the instance of Kaikeyi. King Dasaratha has gone, leaving me to suffer.
A ruler’s household decisions affect the entire loka (people). Dharma demands accountability for harm caused to society, not merely private regret.
Bharata, newly awakened to the crisis, laments Daśaratha’s death and the damage wrought by Kaikeyī’s actions.
Responsibility and compassion: Bharata grieves not only personally but also for the people harmed by the political upheaval.