Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 82: Bharata Rejects Vasiṣṭha’s Request
Text 2.82.13
ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठश्च धर्मात्मा दिलीपनहुषोपमः।
लब्धुमर्हति काकुत्स्थो राज्यं दशरथो यथा॥
ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठश्च धर्मात्मा दिलीपनहुषोपमः।
लब्धुमर्हति काकुत्स्थो राज्यं दशरथो यथा॥
jyeṣṭhaḥ = He is the eldest; śreṣṭhaḥ = the best [among Us, the sons of the king]; ca = and; dharma-ātmā = that dhārmika; dilīpa-nahuṣa-upamaḥ = who was equal to Dilīpa and Nahuṣa; labdhum arhati = should get; kākutsthaḥ = descendant of Kakutstha; rājyam = the kingdom; daśarathaḥ = Daśaratha; yathā = like.
He is the eldest and the best [among Us, the sons of the king]. That dhārmika descendant of Kakutstha should get the kingdom like Daśaratha who was equal to Dilīpa and Nahuṣa.
The dharma that Vasiṣṭha should have spoken is described here.
Dilīpa and Nahuṣa have been referred to here for they were excellent kings in the lunar and solar dynasties. Other such kings are included herewith [by implication].