Shloka 2.88.18
रामशय्यादर्शनम् — Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed
सार्वभौमकुले जात स्सर्वलोकस्य सम्मतः।सर्वलोकप्रियस्त्यक्त्वा राज्यं सुखमनुत्तम्।।।।कथमिन्दीवरश्यामो रक्ताक्षः प्रियदर्शनः।सुखभागी न दुःखार्ह श्शयितो भुवि राघवः।।।।
sārvabhaumakule jātaḥ sarvalokasya sammataḥ |
sarvalokapriyaḥ tyaktvā rājyaṃ sukham anuttam ||
katham indīvaraśyāmo raktākṣaḥ priyadarśanaḥ |
sukhabhāgī na duḥkhārhaḥ śayito bhuvi rāghavaḥ ||
How could Rāghava sleep upon the bare ground—born in an imperial line, revered by all the world and dear to all; who abandoned a kingdom and unsurpassed comforts; lotus-dark in hue, red-eyed, pleasing to behold—fit for happiness, not for suffering?
How could such Rama sleep on the ground? He was born in the house of emperors, worthy of reverence by the entire world and beloved of all the worlds, with the complexion of a blue lotus, with red eyes, and pleasing looks, one who deserves to be happy and not to suffer by renouncing the kingdom and excellent comforts.
Dharma may demand renunciation even from the most deserving: Rāma accepts hardship to uphold truth and rightful order, while Bharata’s lament highlights the cost of unrighteous outcomes.
Bharata contrasts Rāma’s royal worthiness and beloved status with the reality that he sleeps on bare earth in exile.
Rāma’s sacrifice and adherence to satya/dharma (implicit), and Bharata’s reverence for those virtues (explicit).