Shloka 2.87.9
गुहसंवादः—रामस्य रात्रिवासवर्णनम् (Dialogue with Guha: Account of Rama’s Night Halt)
त्वां दृष्ट्वा पुत्र जीवामि रामे सभ्रातृकेगते।वृत्ते दशरथे राज्ञि नाथ एकस्त्वमद्य नः।।।।
tvāṃ dṛṣṭvā putra jīvāmi rāme sabhrātṛke gate |
vṛtte daśarathe rājñi nātha ekas tvam adya naḥ ||
“My son, I live on only because I see you—when Rāma has gone away with his brother, and King Daśaratha has passed from this world. From now on, you alone are our protector.”
O my son, with Rama gone to the forest along with your brother Lakshmana and with king Dasaratha departed from this world, I continue to live seeing you. From now on you alone are our sole protector.
Dharma is guardianship of the vulnerable: with the rightful heir exiled and the king dead, Bharata is urged to protect the household and uphold truth and order.
Kausalyā laments Rāma’s departure and Daśaratha’s death, and turns to Bharata as the remaining pillar of support.
Reliability and protective leadership—Bharata is called to act as nātha (protector) for the bereaved family and the state.