Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 101, Shloka 2
भरतस्य धर्मनिश्चयः
Bharata Affirms Lineage-Dharma and Urges Rama’s Coronation
शाश्वतोऽयं सदा धर्मः स्थितोऽस्मासु नरर्षभ।ज्येष्ठेे पुत्रे स्थिते राजा न कनीयान् भवेन्नृपः।।2.101.2।।
śāśvato 'yaṃ sadā dharmaḥ sthito 'smāsu nararṣabha | jyeṣṭhe putre sthite rājann na kanīyān nṛpo bhavet ||
Hỡi bậc trượng phu tối thượng, dharma này hằng hữu, đời đời đứng vững trong dòng tộc ta: khi trưởng tử còn hiện hữu, thì người em không thể làm vua.
O best of men! there is an ancient tradition in our race that the younger son cannot become king when the eldest is there.
FAQs
Maryādā (normative order) governs succession: rightful precedence prevents disorder and personal ambition from overriding justice.
Bharata argues from dynastic dharma that he cannot accept the throne while Rāma, the elder, lives.
Commitment to lawful order and rejection of opportunism.