Shloka 2.88.5
रामशय्यादर्शनम् — Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed
प्रासादाग्रविमानेषु वलभीषु च सर्वदा।हैमराजतभौमेषु वरास्तरणशालिषु।।।।पुष्पसञ्चयचित्रेषु चन्दनागरुगन्धिषु।पाण्डुराभ्रप्रकाशेषु शुकसङ्घरूतेषुच।।।।प्रासादवरवर्येषु शीतवत्सु सुगन्धिषु।उषित्वामेरुकल्पेषु कृतकाञ्चन भित्तिषु।।।।गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्वराभरणनिस्स्वनैः।मृदङ्गवरशब्दैश्च सततं प्रतिबोधितः।।।।वन्दिभिर्वन्दितः काले बहुभि स्सूतमागधैः।गाथाभिरनुरूपाभि स्स्तुतिभिश्च परन्तपः।।।।
prasādyamānaḥ śirasā mayā svayaṃ bahuprakāraṃ yadi nābhipatsyate |
tato 'nuvatsyāmi cirāya rāghavaṃ vane caran nārhati mām upekṣitum ||
If, though I myself seek his favor in many ways with my head bowed, my request is not granted, then I shall follow Rāghava and dwell in the forest for as long as it takes—he cannot rightly disregard me when I too have become a forest-dweller.
Rama, scorcher of enemies, one who was accostomed to dwell in the attic of seven-storeyed mansions with floors paved with gold, and silver, spread with excellent carpets, decked with bouquets of flowers and perfumed with sandal and agaru. The peaks of those palaces were bright like towering white clouds and echoed with cries of parrots. They were cool and fragrant with perfumes. The marvellous palaces made of golden walls are comparable to mount Meru. He used to wake up to the sounds of songs and musical instruments, the tinkling of finest ornaments and the splendid sounds of the drums. Many bards, genealogists and panegyrists singing befitting ballads and extolling his virtues at appropriate time used to salute him in reverence (Bharata lamented).
Dharma is presented as accountability and restitution: Bharata seeks to correct the wrong done to Rama by humble supplication, and if refused, by voluntarily sharing Rama’s hardship—transforming remorse into ethical action.
Bharata is preparing himself for the possibility that Rama will refuse to return; he declares that he will then accompany Rama in exile rather than accept kingship at home.
Bharata’s humility (bowing his head), steadfastness, and self-sacrificing loyalty to dharma over personal comfort or power.