Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102, Shloka 4
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च
Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī
तं तु वज्रमिवोत्सृष्टमाहवे दानवारिणावाग्वज्रंभरते नोक्त ममनोज्ञं परन्तपः।।2.102.2।।प्रगृह्य रामो बाहू वैपुष्पिताग्रो यथा द्रुमः।वने परशुना कृत्तस्तथा भुवि पपात ह।।2.102.3।।
taṃ tu vajram ivotsṛṣṭam āhave dānavāriṇā |
vāgvajraṃ bharatēnōktaṃ mamanōjñaṃ parantapaḥ ||
pragṛhya rāmō bāhū vaipuṣpitāgrō yathā drumaḥ |
vanē paraśunā kṛttas tathā bhuvi papāta ha ||
Mais lorsque Bharata proféra ces paroles, pareilles à un foudre lancé—dures au cœur—Rāma, fléau des ennemis, fut frappé comme si le vajra d’Indra l’atteignait au combat. Étendant les bras, il tomba à terre tel un arbre de la forêt, dont la cime fleurie a été tranchée par la hache.
On hearing the thunderlike words spoken by Bharata afflicting the mind, like the thunderbolt hurled by Indra (enemy of demons) in a battle, Rama, the scorcher of enemies, stretching forth both his arms, fell down on the ground like a tree with flowering tops severed by an axe in the forest.
FAQs
Dharma includes accountability through truthful speech (satya), yet also warns that even rightful words can wound; righteous relationships require truth tempered by compassion.
Bharata’s intense, forceful speech emotionally overwhelms Rama, who collapses, illustrating the gravity of the moment in their confrontation/reunion.
Rama’s sensitivity and sincerity: his physical collapse reflects genuine moral pain rather than pride, showing a conscience responsive to truth and familial suffering.