Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 18
और्ध्वदैहिकक्रिया-शोकविलापः
Obsequies for Daśaratha and the Brothers’ Lament
हीनो भ्रात्रा च पित्रा च शून्यामिक्ष्वाकुपालिताम्।।।।अयोध्यां न प्रवेक्ष्यामि प्रवेक्ष्यामि तपोवनम्।
hīno bhrātrā ca pitrā ca śūnyām ikṣvākupālitām | ayodhyāṃ na pravekṣyāmi pravekṣyāmi tapovanam ||
भाई और पिता—दोनों से वंचित होकर, इक्ष्वाकु-वंश के शासन से शून्य हुई अयोध्या में मैं प्रवेश नहीं करूँगा; मैं तपोवन में ही प्रवेश करूँगा।
Having heard the lamentataions of both the brothers and reflecting the calamity befallen on them, the attendants felt extremely afflicted once again.
FAQs
It reflects the idea that rulership must be legitimate and dharmic; Bharata rejects enjoying a kingdom in the absence of rightful order.
Bharata declares he will not return to Ayodhyā without Rāma and Daśaratha, and instead speaks of going to an ascetic forest.
Integrity and self-denial—Bharata refuses power that would be tainted by adharma or grief-driven opportunism.