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 ||
நான் உண்ணாது நோன்பிருந்து, ஒளியையும் விலக்கி, செல்வமற்ற அந்தணனைப் போல, அவர் திரும்ப ஒப்புக்கொள்ளும் வரை குடிசையின் முன்பே படுத்திருப்பேன்।
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.