Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 111, Shloka 24
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः
Sarga 111: Counsel on Gurus, Parental Debt, and Bharata’s Protest
अथोत्थाय जलंस्पृष्ट्वा भरतो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।श्रुण्वन्तु मे परिषदो मन्त्रिण श्श्रेणयस्तथा।।।।
athotthāya jalaṃ spṛṣṭvā bharato vākyam abravīt |śṛṇvantu me pariṣado mantriṇaḥ śreṇayas tathā ||
अथोत्थाय जलं स्पृष्ट्वा भरतो वाक्यमब्रवीत्— शृण्वन्तु मे परिषदो मन्त्रिणः श्रेणयश्च तथा।
Then Bharata stood up and performed achamana (sipping of water) and said 'let theassembly of learned men, counsellors and guildsmen hear me'.
FAQs
Dharma in governance values transparent, public speech: Bharata addresses legitimate social bodies (assembly, ministers, guilds) before making claims.
Bharata prepares to present his position formally before the civic and political representatives.
Accountability and respect for institutions—Bharata seeks public hearing rather than private advantage.