Shloka 2.103.30
पिण्डदानदर्शनम् — The Queens Behold Rama’s Śrāddha Offering
उपोपविष्ट स्तु तदा स वीर्यवांस्तपस्विवेषेण समीक्ष्य राघवम्।श्रिया ज्वलन्तं भरतः कृताञ्जलिर्यथा महेन्द्रः प्रयतः प्रजापतिम्।।2.103.30।।
upopaviṣṭas tu tadā sa vīryavāṃs tapasvi-veṣeṇa samīkṣya rāghavam | śriyā jvalantaṃ bharataḥ kṛtāñjalir yathā mahendraḥ prayataḥ prajāpatiṃ || 2.103.30 ||
Then the mighty Bharata, seeing Rāghava clad in an ascetic’s garb yet blazing with majesty, sat near him with folded palms—like Mahendra, purified, seated near Prajāpati.
Beholding Rama attired like an ascetic but radiant with a majestic glow, the extremely valiant Bharata sat near him with folded palms like the great Indra purified by religious austerities sits near Brahma, the creator.
True authority honors renunciation: Bharata’s reverence toward Rāma in ascetic garb shows dharma’s esteem for self-control and sacrifice over mere power.
Bharata approaches and sits near Rāma with folded hands, acknowledging both his spiritual austerity and inherent royal radiance.
Bharata’s humility, devotion, and disciplined respect (vinaya) in a politically charged moment.