Shloka 2.82.4

भरतस्य धर्मप्रतिज्ञा तथा रामनिवर्तनयात्रा (Bharata’s Vow of Dharma and the Expedition to Recall Rama)

Devanagari script

राज्ञस्तु प्रकृती स्सर्वा स्समग्राः प्रेक्ष्य धर्मवित्।इदं पुरोहितो वाक्यं भरतं मृदु चाब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

rājñas tu prakṛtīḥ sarvāḥ samagrāḥ prekṣya dharma-vit |

idaṃ purohito vākyaṃ bharataṃ mṛdu cābravīt ||

Translation

Seeing all the king’s ministers and principal officers assembled, the chief priest, knower of dharma, spoke these gentle words to Bharata.

Context

The chief priest Vasistha, knower of righteousness, looked at all the ministers present and addressed Bharata in a gentle voice.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Purohita (Vasiṣṭha, by context)
• Ministers/Prakṛtis (state officers)

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through rightful counsel: a dharma-knowing advisor addresses the ruler gently and publicly, ensuring ethical legitimacy in state decisions.

What is the narrative situation?

The chief priest prepares to advise Bharata in the presence of the assembled ministers after Daśaratha’s death and Rama’s exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The priest’s dharma-jñāna and measured speech—ethical authority combined with gentleness.