Shloka 2.82.5
भरतस्य धर्मप्रतिज्ञा तथा रामनिवर्तनयात्रा (Bharata’s Vow of Dharma and the Expedition to Recall Rama)
तात राजा दशरथ स्स्वर्गतो धर्ममाचरन्।धनधान्यवतीं स्फीतां प्रदाय पृथिवीं तव।।।।
tāta rājā daśarathaḥ svargato dharmam ācaran |
dhana-dhānya-vatīṃ sphītāṃ pradāya pṛthivīṃ tava ||
“Dear child, King Daśaratha, practicing righteousness, has gone to heaven—having entrusted to you this vast kingdom, rich in wealth and grain.”
O dear child! following the righteous path king Dasaratha conferred on you this vast kingdom abounding in wealth and grains before attaining heaven.
Dharma frames political authority as a trust: the kingdom is ‘entrusted’ after a life of righteousness, implying rule must continue as moral stewardship.
Vasiṣṭha informs Bharata of Daśaratha’s passing and speaks of the transfer of royal responsibility.
Daśaratha’s dharmācaraṇa (practice of righteousness) as the foundation for legitimate kingship and succession.