Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 40
Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya
Concise Bhāgavata Account
पादुके न्यस्य पुरत: प्राञ्जलिर्बाष्पलोचन: । तमाश्लिष्य चिरं दोर्भ्यां स्नापयन् नेत्रजैर्जलै: ॥ ३९ ॥ रामो लक्ष्मणसीताभ्यां विप्रेभ्यो येऽर्हसत्तमा: । तेभ्य: स्वयं नमश्चक्रे प्रजाभिश्च नमस्कृत: ॥ ४० ॥
pāduke nyasya purataḥ prāñjalir bāṣpa-locanaḥ tam āśliṣya ciraṁ dorbhyāṁ snāpayan netrajair jalaiḥ
After offering the wooden shoes before Lord Rāmacandra, Lord Bharata stood with folded hands, His eyes full of tears, and Lord Rāmacandra bathed Bharata with tears while embracing Him with both arms for a long time. Accompanied by mother Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, Lord Rāmacandra then offered His respectful obeisances unto the learned brāhmaṇas and the elderly persons in the family, and all the citizens of Ayodhyā offered their respectful obeisances unto the Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows Bharata’s intense bhakti: he places Rama’s sandals before him, folds his hands, embraces Rama, and his tears become an offering—revealing devotion expressed through humility and heartfelt emotion.
Rama demonstrates maryādā (ideal conduct): honoring the most worthy brāhmaṇas and accepting the citizens’ respect, showing that true leadership is grounded in dharma and reverence for spiritual authority.
Practice humility and gratitude: respect spiritually mature people, honor teachers and elders, and let devotion be expressed through sincere service and heartfelt prayer rather than mere formality.