Shloka 20
भरतवाक्यं—रामस्य पुनरायोध्यागमननिषेधः
Bharata’s Plea and Rama’s Refusal to Return
कश्च प्रत्यक्षमुत्सृज्य संशयस्थ मलक्षणम्।आयतिस्थं चरे द्धर्मं क्षत्रबन्दुरनिश्चितम्।।।।
kaś ca pratyakṣam utsṛjya saṁśayastham alakṣaṇam |
āyatisthaṁ cared dharmaṁ kṣatrabandhur aniścitam ||
कौन क्षत्रिय होकर प्रत्यक्ष, तत्काल कर्तव्य को छोड़कर संशययुक्त, अशुभ-लक्षण वाले और दूर-भविष्य में फल देने वाले अनिश्चित ‘धर्म’ का आचरण करेगा?॥
Will any kshatriya, setting aside his first duty, follow an uncertain course of piety which is contrary to his dharma and whose impact may be felt in a remote future.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as one’s immediate, role-based obligation (svadharma), not a speculative or inappropriate path that neglects present responsibilities.
Bharata challenges the idea that Rama should avoid kingship; he argues that forsaking manifest royal duty for uncertain alternatives is improper for a kṣatriya.
Bharata’s moral clarity and insistence on svadharma—he prioritizes responsible governance over ambiguous ideals.