हेमन्तवर्णनम् तथा भरतधर्मनिष्ठा-चिन्तनम्
Winter Description and Reflection on Bharata’s Devotion
निश्चिताऽपि हि मे बुद्धिर्वनवासे दृढव्रता।भरतस्नेहसन्तप्ता बालिशीक्रियते पुनः।।।।
niścitā ’pi hi me buddhir vanavāse dṛḍhavratā | bharatasnehasantaptā bāliśīkriyate punaḥ ||
ವನವಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ನಿಶ್ಚಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದು ವ್ರತವೂ ದೃಢವಾಗಿದೆ; ಆದರೂ ಭರತನ ಮೇಲಿನ ಸ್ನೇಹ ಹೃದಯದಲ್ಲಿ ದಹಿಸುವುದರಿಂದ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮತ್ತೆ ಮಗುವಿನಂತೆ ಅಲುಗಾಡುತ್ತದೆ.
Even though I have made up my mind to dwell in the forest and keep my vow, my love for Bharata makes me waver like a child (Rama does not want Bharata to suffer on hisaccount).
Dharma is vow-steadfastness tempered by compassion: Rāma remains committed to his promise, yet he acknowledges the moral pull of empathy for Bharata’s suffering.
After stopping criticism of Kaikeyī, Rāma admits that concern for Bharata emotionally shakes his otherwise firm resolve to complete the forest exile.
Rāma’s truthful self-awareness and compassionate responsibility—he does not hide inner conflict, but integrates it within steadfast adherence to dharma.