Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 111, Shloka 14
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः
Sarga 111: Counsel on Gurus, Parental Debt, and Bharata’s Protest
अनाहारो निरालोको धनहीनो यथा द्विजः।शेष्ये पुरस्ताच्छालाया यावन्न प्रतियास्यति।।।।
anāhāro nirāloko dhanahīno yathā dvijaḥ | śeṣye purastāc chālāyā yāvan na pratiyāsyati ||
ആഹാരമില്ലാതെ, വെളിച്ചം ഒഴിവാക്കി, ധനമില്ലാത്ത ദ്വിജനെപ്പോലെ, അവൻ മടങ്ങിവരാൻ സമ്മതിക്കുന്നതുവരെ ഞാൻ കുടിലിന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ കിടന്നിരിക്കും.
Like a poor brahmin, starving, my face muffled, I shall lie down in front of the hut until he agrees to return.
FAQs
The verse frames moral persuasion through austerity: Bharata believes dharma requires Rama’s return for the welfare of the realm, so he adopts self-suffering as a witness to sincerity.
Bharata intensifies his plea by describing a vow of fasting and remaining before Rama’s dwelling until Rama agrees to go back.
Self-restraint and sacrifice—Bharata’s willingness to endure deprivation for what he considers righteous governance.