Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 25
भरतस्य कैकेय्याः प्रति धिक्कारः
Bharata’s Rebuke of Kaikeyi and Affirmation of Ikshvaku Royal Dharma
न तु कामं करिष्यामि तवाऽहं पापनिश्चये।त्वया व्यसनमारब्धं जीवितान्तकरं मम।।।।
na tu kāmaṃ kariṣyāmi tavāhaṃ pāpaniścaye |
tvayā vyasanam ārabdhaṃ jīvitāntakaraṃ mama ||
हे पाप-निश्चय वाली नारी! मैं तुम्हारी कामना कभी पूरी नहीं करूँगा। तुम्हीं ने मेरे प्राणों का अंत करने वाली विपत्ति का आरम्भ कर दिया है।
O woman of sinful disposition!, I on my part will not fulfil your cherished desire. Youhave started a distressing deed to bring an end to my existence.
FAQs
Dharma may require refusing even a powerful elder’s demand when it is rooted in adharma; truthfulness includes a firm moral ‘no’.
Bharata rejects Kaikeyī’s attempt to secure the kingdom through wrongdoing and describes the situation as personally devastating.
Moral courage and steadfastness against unjust gain.