Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 106, Shloka 13
भरतवाक्यं—रामस्य पुनरायोध्यागमननिषेधः
Bharata’s Plea and Rama’s Refusal to Return
अन्तकाले हि भूतानि मुह्यन्तीति पुरा श्रुतिः।राज्ञैवं कुर्वता लोके प्रत्यक्षं सा श्रुतिः कृता।।।।
antakāle hi bhūtāni muhyantīti purā śrutiḥ |
rājñā evaṃ kurvatā loke pratyakṣaṃ sā śrutiḥ kṛtā ||
古有传闻：临终之际，众生必生迷乱；而今国王如此行事，使此传闻在世间昭然成真。
There is an ancient saying that at the time of death, the intellect of people is deluded. By conducting himself in this way, king Dasaratha has proved it.
FAQs
Dharma recognizes human frailty: Bharata interprets Dasaratha’s decision as impaired judgment near death, implying that dharma may require correction of outcomes born from delusion.
Bharata explains the king’s harmful decision as a manifestation of end-of-life confusion, strengthening his plea that Rama should rectify the situation.
Discernment with compassion: Bharata critiques the act while indirectly softening blame by attributing it to delusion at death.