Shloka 13

रामायणकथासंक्षेपः — ब्रह्मोक्तो रामावतारवृत्तान्तः

Devanagari script

अयोध्यान्तु समागत्य राज्यं कुरु महामते / स नैच्छत्पादुके दत्त्वा राज्याय भरताय तु

Transliteration

ayodhyāntu samāgatya rājyaṃ kuru mahāmate / sa naicchatpāduke dattvā rājyāya bharatāya tu

Translation

They urged, “Come to Ayodhyā and rule the kingdom, O great-minded one.” But he did not desire it; instead, giving the pair of sandals, he entrusted the kingship to Bharata.

Word by Word

• अयोध्याम्: Ayodhyā
• अयोध्याम्: Karma (Goal as object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयोध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle)

• समागत्य: having come
• समागत्य: Kriya (Non-finite verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), पूर्वकाल (having come)

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• राज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुरु: do / assume (rule)
• कुरु: Kriya (Command/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• महामते: O great-minded one
• महामते: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् मतिः यस्य)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (pronoun)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation)

• ऐच्छत्: desired
• ऐच्छत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पादुके: the pair of sandals
• पादुके: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पादुका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Kriya (Non-finite verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), पूर्वकाल (having given)

• राज्याय: for the kingdom / for rulership
• राज्याय: Sampradana (Purpose/recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन), एकवचन

• भरताय: to Bharata
• भरताय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• तु: however / indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle)

Speaker

Likely Lord Vishnu narrating to Garuda (Vinata-putra), within an Itihasa (Rama-katha) exemplum in Garuda Purana

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Legitimate authority rests on righteousness and rightful succession, not personal ambition; symbolic governance can preserve dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Nishkāma-karma (acting without desire for power) and humility as spiritual strength.

Application: Decline roles sought for ego; accept responsibility as stewardship; use symbols/charters to keep institutions aligned with founding values.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: capital city

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.143.13 (pādukā episode)

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhya
• Bharata
• Paduka (Rama's sandals)

FAQs

What is the importance of Bharata accepting Rama’s sandals in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights dharma-driven governance: Bharata refuses personal ambition and treats authority as a trust held on behalf of the rightful ruler, symbolized by the sandals.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana’s broader spiritual teaching?

By using a well-known itihasa example, the text reinforces detachment from power and the idea that duty should be performed without ego or possessiveness—an ethical foundation that supports spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat leadership and responsibilities as stewardship: avoid craving status, act with integrity, and keep decisions aligned with righteousness rather than personal gain.