Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 24
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
सारथे पश्य विध्वस्ता साऽयोध्या न प्रकाशते।निराकारा निरानन्दा दीना प्रतिहतस्वरा।।।।
sārathe paśya vidhvastā sā ’yodhyā na prakāśate | nirākārā nirānandā dīnā pratihatasvarā ||
হে সারথি, দেখো—এই অযোধ্যা যেন বিধ্বস্ত; আর দীপ্ত নয়। সে যেন আকারহীন, আনন্দহীন, দীন এবং স্তব্ধস্বরে পরিণত হয়েছে।
On approaching the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja, Bharata alighted from the chariot,and prostrated at his feet.
FAQs
Satya (truthful perception) is part of dharma: Bharata names the city’s moral and emotional collapse, implying that a kingdom’s radiance depends on righteous presence and harmony, not mere walls and wealth.
Bharata directly addresses his charioteer upon seeing Ayodhyā’s bleak, silent condition after the king’s death and the princes’ absence.
Compassionate loyalty—Bharata’s pain shows attachment to rightful order and to his family, not ambition for rule.