Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102

Meaning

Hearing the exhortation of Śrī Rāma, Bharata, it is said, replied as follows : “How will the code of conduct prescribed for a king avail me, who stand outside the range of that code (disqualified as I am for sovereignty, being a younger issue of the king-emperor)? (1)

Meaning

“This has ever been the perpetual law amongst us (the Kṣatriyas of the solar dynasty), O jewel among men, that so long as the eldest prince is alive, a younger one can never be king. (2)

Meaning

“Therefore, return with me to the affluent city of Ayodhyā, O scion of Raghu, and get yourself consecrated for the kingship for the continuance of this race of ours. (3)

Meaning

“The king, whom the common people speak of as a human being and yet whose conduct, which goes hand in hand with righteousness and worldly prosperity, they declare as superhuman, is esteemed by me as verging on divinity. (4)

Meaning

“While I was away to the kingdom of Kekaya and you had proceeded to the forest, the sagacious king, who was given to the performance of sacrifices and was esteemed by the virtuous, ascended to heaven. (5)

Meaning

“Accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, you had just gone out of Ayodhyā when, overwhelmed with sorrow and grief, the king departed for heaven. (6)

Meaning

“Get up, O tiger among men! Let water be offered to the spirit of our deceased father. Śatrughna standing here and myself too have already offered water to him. (7)

Meaning

“For, the knowers of Truth declare that water etc., offered by a beloved son surely becomes inexhaustible in the realm of manes, O scion of Raghu; and you are undoubtedly the beloved of our deceased father. (8)

Meaning

“Bereft of you and stricken with grief caused by separation from you and unable to divert his mind, which was solely attached to you alone, our father departed from this world grieving only for you, longing for your sight and fondly remembering you alone.” (9)