By thinking of Rāma and the sin [that had been committed], Bharata’s voice became inarticulate because of His tears. Sage Vālmīki has glorified Bharata by referring to His voice as being youthful. The sage thought, “How wonderful that at a time when Bharata could enjoy Himself, He has a desire to give up the objects of enjoyment!”

Sabhā-madhye (“in the midst of the assembly”) indicates that Bharata ventured to even break the [general] rule that one should privately instruct [one’s guru] who has transgressed the scriptural regulations. He did so because He was overcome by distress [that Vasiṣṭha] had enjoined something extremely cruel and adhārmika. [Therefore] Bharata criticized Vasiṣṭha without distinguishing between what to speak in private and what to speak in public.¹

He intended to [sarcastically] tell Vasiṣṭha, “You have nicely considered the future welfare of this dynasty! [Do you think that] many people can get together and take away My dependency and service [to Rāma] though I am alone?”

GLOSS. Bharata criticized [His guru] by saying, “How can you, My well-wisher, engage Me in something that will lead Me to a disaster?”

NOTE. The following verse explains the principle behind Bharata’s public criticism of His guru:

guror apy avaliptasya kāryākāryam ajānataḥ
utpathaṁ pratipannasya kāryaṁ bhavati śāsanam

“One should discipline even a guru who has become too proud, not aware of what is to be done and what is not to be done, and who has gone beyond the boundary of Vedic dharma.” (Rāmāyaṇa 2.21.14)