Shloka 2.90.13

भरद्वाजाश्रमगमनम् (Bharata at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage)

Devanagari script

सुषुवे यममित्रघ्नं कौसल्यानऽन्दवर्धनम्।भ्रात्रा सह सभार्यो यश्चिरं प्रव्राजितो वनम्।।2.90.11।।नियुक्तः स्त्रीनियुक्तेन पित्रा योऽसौ महायशाः।वनवासी भवेतीह समाः किल चतुर्दश।।2.90.12।।कच्छिन्न तस्यापापस्य पापं कर्तुमिहेच्छसि।अकण्टकं भोक्तुमना राज्यं तस्यानुजस्य च।।2.90.13।।

Transliteration

niyuktaḥ strī-niyuktena pitrā yo 'sau mahāyaśāḥ |

vanavāsī bhavetīha samāḥ kila caturdaśa || 2.90.12 ||

Translation

That illustrious Rāma was commanded by his father—under the prompting of a woman—to dwell here in the forest for fourteen years, so it is said.

Context

Rama, destroyer of enemies and enhancer of the delight of his mother Kausalya, has been banished to the forest for a long time along with his wife and brother. That illustrious one has been ordered by his father to live in the forest for fourteen years through the pursuasion of a woman. To enjoy the kingdom without obstacles do you intend to cause any harm to that irreproachable Rama and his brother?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī (implied by 'woman')
• Forest-exile (vanavāsa)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse highlights the dharmic weight of a father’s command and the painful tension between rightful conduct and morally compromised counsel; it frames exile as a duty imposed through a flawed human influence.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharadvāja recounts to Bharata the formal order that sent Rāma to the forest for fourteen years, emphasizing how the decision came about.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfastness to duty (dharma-niṣṭhā) is implied: even when the command arises from questionable persuasion, he accepts the ordained path.