Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 21
भरतस्य मातृसदनगमनं कैकेय्या दारुणवृत्तान्तकथनं च
Bharata in Kaikeyi’s apartments: revelation of Daśaratha’s death and Rāma’s exile
बाष्पमुत्सृज्य् कण्ठेन स्वात्मना परमपीडितः।
आच्छाद्य वदनं श्रीमद्वस्त्रेण जयतां वरः।।2.72.21।।
bāṣpam utsṛjya kaṇṭhena svātmanā paramapīḍitaḥ | ācchādya vadanaṃ śrīmad vastreṇa jayatāṃ varaḥ || 2.72.21 ||
The foremost among victors, tormented in his very self, released tears from his throat and covered his handsome face with a cloth.
Bharata, the foremost among the victorious, clearing his tearchoked throat and covering his auspicious countenance with raiment, wept in profound distress with tears overflowing.
FAQs
Dharma does not demand emotional denial; self-control includes dignified expression of grief without abandoning one’s responsibilities.
Bharata is overcome by sorrow; his voice is choked, and he hides his face while weeping.
Inner sincerity and restraint—he grieves deeply yet maintains modesty and composure in expression.