Opening the text
भरतस्य मातृसदनगमनं कैकेय्या दारुणवृत्तान्तकथनं च
Bharata in Kaikeyi’s apartments: revelation of Daśaratha’s death and Rāma’s exile
पिता हि भवति ज्येष्ठो धर्ममार्यस्य जानतः।
तस्य पादौ ग्रहीष्यामि स हीदानीं गतिर्मम।।2.72.33।।
pitā hi bhavati jyeṣṭho dharmam āryasya jānataḥ |
tasya pādau grahīṣyāmi sa hīdānīṃ gatir mama || 2.72.33 ||
आर्यधर्मं जानतः ज्येष्ठो भ्राता पिता भवति; तस्य पादौ ग्रहीष्यामि—स एवेदानीं मम गतिः।
To one who knows the ways of righteousness the elder brother is (like) the father. Indeed, he (Rama) is my refuge and I shall hold his feet now.
Maryādā-dharma: the elder brother carries paternal responsibility; honoring him sustains righteous family order.
In the wake of his father’s absence, Bharata turns to Rama as the rightful moral center and protector.
Bharata’s submission to dharma over personal claim—he seeks refuge at Rama’s feet.
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.