Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 106, Shloka 13
भरतवाक्यं—रामस्य पुनरायोध्यागमननिषेधः
Bharata’s Plea and Rama’s Refusal to Return
अन्तकाले हि भूतानि मुह्यन्तीति पुरा श्रुतिः।राज्ञैवं कुर्वता लोके प्रत्यक्षं सा श्रुतिः कृता।।।।
antakāle hi bhūtāni muhyantīti purā śrutiḥ |
rājñā evaṃ kurvatā loke pratyakṣaṃ sā śrutiḥ kṛtā ||
Une antique parole dit qu’à l’heure de la mort les êtres s’égarent; en agissant ainsi, le roi a rendu cette parole manifestement vraie en ce monde.
There is an ancient saying that at the time of death, the intellect of people is deluded. By conducting himself in this way, king Dasaratha has proved it.
FAQs
Dharma recognizes human frailty: Bharata interprets Dasaratha’s decision as impaired judgment near death, implying that dharma may require correction of outcomes born from delusion.
Bharata explains the king’s harmful decision as a manifestation of end-of-life confusion, strengthening his plea that Rama should rectify the situation.
Discernment with compassion: Bharata critiques the act while indirectly softening blame by attributing it to delusion at death.