Valmiki Ramayana 2.24.22: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 22

कौशल्यारामसंवादः · Kausalya

Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma

Spoken by Rama to KausalyaSetting: Ayodhyā palace

Devanagari script

भरतश्चापि धर्मात्मा सर्वभूतप्रियंवदः ।

भवतीमनुवर्तेत स हि धर्मरतस्सदा ॥२२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.24.22

Transliteration

bharataś cāpi dharmātmā sarva-bhūta-priyaṃ-vadaḥ |

bhavatīm anuvarteta sa hi dharma-ratas sadā ||22||

Translation

और भरत भी बिल्कुल ठीक है। वो भी सबसे अच्छे से बात करता है और धरम के काम में लगा रहता है। वो तुम्हारी बात ज़रूर मानेगा और तुम्हारा ख्याल रखेगा।

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Word by Word

• भरतः: Bharata
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात
• Role: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)

• अपि: also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ-निपात (also/even)
• Role: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)

• धर्मात्मा: righteous-souled
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (धर्मः आत्मा यस्य सः)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Bahuvrihi

• सर्वभूतप्रियंवदः: one who speaks pleasingly to all beings
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + भूत + प्रिय + वद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (सर्वेषां भूतानां प्रियं वदति)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• भवतीम्: you
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; आदरार्थ सर्वनाम
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• अनुवर्तेत: should follow, would follow
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृत् (धातु) + अनु (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• सः: he
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• हि: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (indeed/for)
• Role: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)

• धर्मरतः: devoted to dharma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (धर्मे रतः)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• सदा: always
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; नित्यत्ववाचक क्रियाविशेषण (always)
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

Sandhi Notes

• भरतश्चापि = भरतः + च + अपि
• भवतीमनुवर्तेत = भवतीम् + अनुवर्तेत
• धर्मरतस्सदा = धर्मरतः + सदा (visarga sandhi)

Context

Bharata, who is virtuous and speaks pleasantly to all beings and who is alwaysattached to righteousness will surely remain obedient to you.

The teaching

True dharma shows in gentle speech and steadfast service; virtue can bridge fractures created by circumstance.

Duties in tension

• Need for Kaushalyā’s protection/support after Rāma’s departure
• Potential tension between Bharata’s filial duty to his mother (Kaikeyī) and service to elders (Kaushalyā)
• Maintaining family harmony amid political upheaval

Ethical theme

Kula-dharma (family duty) and sevā-dharma (service to elders)

How it resolves

Reassurance through character testimony—trust in Bharata’s dharma-rati

For your practice

Inspiration to cultivate dharma through speech and service; seeing virtue as protective power.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Assuring, noble, harmonizing

Themes

• Dharma
• Maryada
• Itihasa
• Ethics
• Fraternal virtue
• Household harmony

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kauśalyā
• Bharata

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is shown as reliable character: Bharata’s goodness and dharma-mindedness are presented as a moral assurance that he will protect and honor elders appropriately.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma consoles Kauśalyā by pointing to Bharata’s virtuous nature, implying she will not be unsupported in the palace.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s dharma-rati (constant devotion to righteousness) and gentle speech are highlighted.