Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 101, Shloka 1
भरतस्य धर्मनिश्चयः
Bharata Affirms Lineage-Dharma and Urges Rama’s Coronation
रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा भरतः प्रत्युवाच ह।किं मे धर्माद्विहीनस्य राजधर्मः करिष्यति।।2.101.1।।
rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā bharataḥ pratyuvāca ha | kiṃ me dharmād vihīnasya rājadharmaḥ kariṣyati ||
ராமரின் வாக்கைக் கேட்ட பரதன் மறுமொழி கூறினான்— “நான் தர்மத்திலிருந்து விலகியவனாயின், எனக்கு அரசதர்மம் என்ன பயன் தரும்?”
On listening to Rama, Bharata replied Of what use shall be these royal duties to me, when I have fallen from righteousness?
FAQs
Authority without righteousness is meaningless; rājadharma has value only when grounded in personal integrity and moral legitimacy.
Bharata responds to Rāma’s counsel by expressing moral anguish and refusing to accept a kingship he views as tainted by adharma.
Conscience and humility—Bharata prioritizes dharma over power.