Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 105, Shloka 6
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः
Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality
गतिं खर इवाश्वस्य तार्क्ष्यस्येव पतत्रिणः।अनुगन्तुं न शक्तिर्मे गतिं तव महीपते।।2.105.6।।
gatiṃ khara ivāśvasya tārkṣyasyeva patatriṇaḥ |
anugantuṃ na śaktir me gatiṃ tava mahīpate ||2.105.6||
Ô seigneur de la terre, je n’ai pas la force de suivre ton allure : comme l’âne ne peut égaler le cheval, ni aucun oiseau le vol de Tārkṣya (Garuḍa).
O lord of the earth! as an ass cannot follow the pace of a horse or a bird, the pace of Tarkshya (Garuda), I do not have the capability to follow you.
FAQs
Dharma is paired with humility: Bharata acknowledges Rāma’s superior capacity and moral stature, implying rightful leadership should rest with the most qualified.
Bharata, trying to persuade Rāma to return, admits he cannot equal Rāma’s capability to lead.
Humility and sincerity—Bharata minimizes himself rather than asserting entitlement.