Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 108, Shloka 7
जाबाल्युपदेशः
Jabali’s Pragmatic Counsel to Rama
पित्र्यं राज्यं परित्यज्य स नार्हसि नरोत्तम।आस्थातुं कापथं दुःखं विषमं बहुकण्टकम्।।।।
pitryaṁ rājyaṁ parityajya sa nārhasi narottama |
āsthātuṁ kāpathaṁ duḥkhaṁ viṣamaṁ bahukaṇṭakam ||
O pinakadakila sa mga tao, huwag mong talikuran ang minanang kaharian ng mga ninuno; huwag kang tumahak sa maling landas—mapait, masukal, at punô ng tinik at panganib.
Very well, O scion of the Raghu race, you are noble-minded and high-souled. You, like a common man, must not entertain such nonsensical thought.
FAQs
It appeals to rājadharma and rightful responsibility: abandoning legitimate duty for a perilous course is portrayed as adharma (a ‘wrong path’).
Bharata urges Rāma not to renounce the kingship that properly belongs to him, warning that such refusal leads to hardship and danger.
Responsibility and steadfastness in rightful duty—accepting burdens that protect the realm.