Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 81: Vasiṣṭha Summons Bharata
Text 2.81.6
तस्यैषा धर्मराजस्य धर्ममूला महात्मनः।
परिभ्रमति राजश्रीर्नौरिवाकर्णिका जले॥
tasyaiṣā dharma-rājasya dharma-mūlā mahātmanaḥ
paribhramati rāja-śrīr naur ivākarṇikā jale
tasya = by this; eṣā = the; dharma-rājasya = dhārmika king; dharma-mūlā = founded on dharma; mahā-ātmanaḥ = and great soul; paribhramati = is [now] unsteady; rāja-śrīḥ = royal prosperity; nauḥ = boat; iva = like; akarṇikā = a captainless; jale = on water.
The royal prosperity founded on dharma by this dhārmika king and great soul is [now] unsteady like a captainless boat on water.
When the king passes away, the eldest son should become the crown prince. This is the prosperity of the royalty. Such a prosperity was present without any break [in the dynasty of Ikṣvāku].