Valmiki Ramayana 2.74.32: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 74, Shloka 32
भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः
Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum
न ह्यहं पापसङ्कल्पे पापे पापं त्वया कृतम्।शक्तो धारयितुं पौरैरश्रुकण्ठै र्निरीक्षितः।।।।
na hy ahaṃ pāpa-saṅkalpe pāpe pāpaṃ tvayā kṛtam |
śakto dhārayituṃ paurair aśru-kaṇṭhair nirīkṣitaḥ ||
Ô femme à l'esprit maléfique et pervers — observée par les citoyens dont la gorge est nouée par les larmes — je ne peux supporter le poids du péché que tu as commis.
Jump into the fire or go to Dandaka forest or hang yourself. There is no other recourse for you.
FAQs
Dharma in kingship includes moral and public accountability: wrongdoing in the royal house becomes a burden before the people, and the righteous cannot accept tainted authority.
Bharata, facing a grieving populace, rejects complicity in Kaikeyi’s actions and expresses inability to carry the stigma of her sin.
Conscience and shame before the people: Bharata values ethical legitimacy over political possession.
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