Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 88, Shloka 4
रामशय्यादर्शनम्
Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed
अजिनोत्तरसंस्तीर्णे वरास्तरणसंचये।शयित्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रः कथं शेते महीतले।।।।
ajinottarasaṃstīrṇe varāstaraṇasaṃcaye |
śayitvā puruṣavyāghraḥ kathaṃ śete mahītale ||
जो पुरुषव्याघ्र उत्तम बिछौनों पर, मृगचर्म से आच्छादित शय्या पर शयन करता था, वह अब भूमि पर कैसे सोएगा?॥
I will seek his grace in many ways by bowing down my head. Even then if Rama does not grant my wish, I shall also live with him as long as it takes. He will not be able to ignore a forester like me.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē aṣṭāśītitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the eightyeigth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma as a standard of just treatment: virtue and rightful status should not be violated by wrongful suffering. Bharata’s question condemns the moral disorder that has forced Rama into hardship.
Bharata is imagining Rama’s changed life in exile—moving from palace comfort to sleeping on the ground—intensifying his remorse and urgency.
Bharata’s loyalty and protective love for Rama, expressed through grief at Rama’s undeserved austerity.