Shloka 1.18.31
पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival (Bālakāṇḍa 18)
भरतस्यापि शत्रुघ्नो लक्ष्मणावरजो हि स:।।।।प्राणै: प्रियतरो नित्यं तस्य चासीत्तथा प्रिय:।
bharatasyāpi śatrughno lakṣmaṇāvarajo hi saḥ | prāṇaiḥ priyataro nityaṃ tasya cāsīttathā priyaḥ ||
So too Śatrughna—Lakṣmaṇa’s younger brother—was always dearer than life itself to Bharata; and in the same way Bharata was dear to Śatrughna.
In a similar manner Satrughna, younger brother of Lakshmana, became dearer than his own life to Bharata. Similarly, Bharata also was dear to Satrughna.
Dharma here is expressed as unwavering familial loyalty—love that protects unity within the royal household and supports righteous conduct through mutual devotion.
The text is describing the bonds among Daśaratha’s sons, emphasizing how closely paired the brothers were in affection.
Śatrughna’s steadfast devotion and Bharata’s reciprocal affection—constancy in love and loyalty.