Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 97, Shloka 2
भरतागमनशङ्कानिवारणम् / Dispelling Suspicion about Bharata’s Arrival
Chitrakuta Encampment
किमत्र धनुषा कार्यमसिना वा सचर्मणा।महेष्वासे महाप्राज्ञे भरते स्वयमागते।।।।
kim atra dhanuṣā kāryam asinā vā sa-carmaṇā | maheṣvāse mahāprājñe bharate svayam āgate ||
既然婆罗多——善使强弓而又大智——亲自来到此处，又何必动用弓、剑，乃至盾牌呢？
O best among men, O valiant one I think Bharata who is affectionate towards his brothers and who is dearer to me than my life, must have returned to Ayodhya and has heard that I had been exiled along with you and Janaki, wearing barks and matted locks. Remembering the duties of the race with an afflicted mind and with agitated senses he has come here to see me. He has not come with any other intention.
FAQs
Dharma here is trust rooted in righteous knowledge of another’s character—Rama rejects suspicion and needless violence when a virtuous person approaches.
In the forest, Lakshmana is tense and ready for conflict; Rama calms him, saying weapons are unnecessary because Bharata has come personally.
Rama’s discernment and fairness (nyāya): he judges Bharata by known virtue, not by fear or rumor.