Shloka 2.99.31
चित्रकूटप्राप्तिः — Bharata Reaches Chitrakuta and Beholds Rama
य स्संसदि प्रकृतिभिर्भवेद्युक्त उपासितुम्।वन्यैर्मृगैरुपासीन स्सोऽयमास्ते ममाग्रजः।।2.99.31।।
yaḥ saṃsadi prakṛtibhir bhaved yukta upāsitum | vanyair mṛgair upāsīnaḥ so ’yam āste mamāgrajaḥ ||2.99.31||
He who deserves to be attended in the royal assembly by ministers and citizens—my elder brother—now sits here, as though attended only by the wild beasts of the forest.
My elder brother who deserves to be attended by ministers and other subjects in the royal assembly sits here today in the forest surrounded by wild beasts.
The verse highlights dharma’s cost: rightful honor and service are replaced by hardship when one upholds truth and duty (Rāma’s exile), showing steadfast adherence to righteousness over comfort.
Bharata contrasts Rāma’s rightful place in the royal court with his present life in the forest.
Rāma’s steadfastness in dharma (accepting exile) and Bharata’s reverence for rightful order and justice.