Shloka 2.85.9
भरत-गुहसंवादः (Bharata and Guha: Trust, Hospitality, and the Burden of Grief)
माभूत्स कालो यत्कष्टं न मां शङ्कितुमर्हसि।राघव स्सहि मे भ्राता ज्येष्ठः पितुसमो मतः।।2.85.9।।
mābhūt sa kālo yat kaṣṭaṃ na māṃ śaṅkitum arhasi |
rāghavaḥ sa hi me bhrātā jyeṣṭhaḥ pitu-samo mataḥ || 2.85.9 ||
May that dreadful time never come; you ought not to suspect me. For Rāma—my eldest brother—has always been regarded by me as equal to my father.
That calmitous time will never come (again). You should not suspect me. I look upon Rama, my eldest brother, as my father.
Satya and dharma are affirmed through filial-fraternal reverence: Bharata declares that harming Rama is unthinkable because he honors him as a father. Righteousness here is loyalty to rightful order and truth of relationship.
Bharata directly answers Guha’s suspicion, clarifying that his mission is not aggression but devotion to Rama and restoration of what is right.
Bharata’s unwavering loyalty and humility—he places Rama above himself, as one would a father, aligning personal conduct with dharma.