Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 106, Shloka 28
भरतवाक्यं—रामस्य पुनरायोध्यागमननिषेधः
Bharata’s Plea and Rama’s Refusal to Return
ऋणानि त्रीण्यपाकुर्वन्दुर्हृदस्साधु निर्दहन्।सुहृदस्तर्पयन्कामैस्त्वमेवात्रानुशाधि माम्।।।।
ṛṇāni trīṇy apākurvan durhṛdaḥ sādhu nirdahan | suhṛdaḥ tarpayan kāmais tvam evātrānuśādhi mām ||
Ayant pleinement acquitté les trois dettes—envers les dieux, les ancêtres et les ṛṣis—, brûlant le malveillant, domptant tes ennemis et comblant tes amis selon leurs désirs, toi seul ici, à Ayodhyā, as le droit de me commander.
Discharging completely the three debts, to gods, to ancestors and to sages, subduing your enemies and gratifying your friends, you alone (have the right) to dictate me.
FAQs
It frames kingship and authority as grounded in dharma: fulfilling sacred obligations (the ‘three debts’), protecting society by restraining enemies, and nurturing allies—only then is one fit to command.
Bharata pleads with Rama to accept rightful rule and guide him; he argues Rama alone is qualified to govern Ayodhya according to dharma.
Bharata’s humility and dharmic discernment—he subordinates personal claim and asks to be directed by the truly righteous.