Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 38
Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya
Concise Bhāgavata Account
भरत: प्राप्तमाकर्ण्य पौरामात्यपुरोहितै: । पादुके शिरसि न्यस्य रामं प्रत्युद्यतोऽग्रजम् ॥ ३५ ॥ नन्दिग्रामात् स्वशिबिराद् गीतवादित्रनि:स्वनै: । ब्रह्मघोषेण च मुहु: पठद्भिर्ब्रह्मवादिभि: ॥ ३६ ॥ स्वर्णकक्षपताकाभिर्हैमैश्चित्रध्वजै रथै: । सदश्वै रुक्मसन्नाहैर्भटै: पुरटवर्मभि: ॥ ३७ ॥ श्रेणीभिर्वारमुख्याभिर्भृत्यैश्चैव पदानुगै: । पारमेष्ठ्यान्युपादाय पण्यान्युच्चावचानि च । पादयोर्न्यपतत् प्रेम्णा प्रक्लिन्नहृदयेक्षण: ॥ ३८ ॥
bharataḥ prāptam ākarṇya paurāmātya-purohitaiḥ pāduke śirasi nyasya rāmaṁ pratyudyato ’grajam
When Lord Bharata understood that Lord Rāmacandra was returning to the capital, Ayodhyā, He immediately took upon His own head Lord Rāmacandra’s wooden shoes and came out from His camp at Nandigrāma. Lord Bharata was accompanied by ministers, priests and other respectable citizens, by professional musicians vibrating pleasing musical sounds, and by learned brāhmaṇas loudly chanting Vedic hymns. Following in the procession were chariots drawn by beautiful horses with harnesses of golden rope. These chariots were decorated by flags with golden embroidery and by other flags of various sizes and patterns. There were soldiers bedecked with golden armor, servants bearing betel nut, and many well-known and beautiful prostitutes. Many servants followed on foot, bearing an umbrella, whisks, different grades of precious jewels, and other paraphernalia befitting a royal reception. Accompanied in this way, Lord Bharata, His heart softened in ecstasy and His eyes full of tears, approached Lord Rāmacandra and fell at His lotus feet with great ecstatic love.
FAQs
This verse depicts classic bhakti-lakṣaṇas: Bharata’s heart melts and his eyes fill with tears as he falls at Rāma’s feet—showing love expressed through humble surrender and reverence.
Bharata approaches Rāma with deep affection and humility, honoring Him as the rightful elder and king; his act of falling at the feet expresses submission, repentance, and loving devotion.
Cultivate humility and reverence—offer respectful obeisance (physically or mentally), serve without ego, and approach the Lord and His devotees with sincerity that softens the heart.