Valmiki Ramayana 2.91.6 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 6
भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage
भरतः प्रत्युवाचेदं प्राञ्जलिस्तं तपोधनम्।ससैन्यो नोपयातोऽस्मि भगवन्भगवद्भयात्।।।।
bharataḥ pratyuvācedaṃ prāñjalis taṃ tapodhanam |
sa-sainyo nopayāto ’smi bhagavan bhagavad-bhayāt ||
Mit gefalteten Händen erwiderte Bharata jenem Asketen, dessen Reichtum die Askese war: „Ehrwürdiger Herr, aus Verehrung und aus Furcht, dich zu kränken, bin ich nicht mit meinem Heer zu dir herangetreten.“
With folded palms (in reverence), Bharata said to sage Bharadwaja whose penance was his wealth: I did not approach you with the army for fear of you, O venerable one.
FAQs
Reverence toward ascetics and spiritual authority: one should approach a sage with humility, caution, and respect, avoiding any show of force.
Bharata explains to Bharadvāja why he did not bring the army close—he feared causing disturbance or disrespect to the sage’s sanctity.
Humility and maryādā (propriety): Bharata restrains power and approaches with folded hands.
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