Shloka 2.77.9
और्ध्वदैहिकक्रिया-शोकविलापः (Obsequies for Daśaratha and the Brothers’ Lament)
स तु दृष्ट्वा रुदन् दीनः पपात धरणीतले।।।।उत्थाप्यमानश्शक्रस्य यन्त्रध्वज इव च्युतः।
sa tu dṛṣṭvā rudan dīnaḥ papāta dharaṇītale | utthāpyamānaḥ śakrasya yantradhvaja iva cyutaḥ ||
Having seen it, he wept in desolation and fell upon the ground—like Indra’s fixed banner-staff that slips and collapses even as it is being raised.
On seeing the cremation ground desolate Bharata collapsed sobbing on the ground like a fastened flag staff of Indra, which fell as it was being raised.
Dharma is shown indirectly: even strong supports can ‘fall’ under unbearable sorrow, yet the narrative prepares for the need to rise again and act rightly.
Bharata, overwhelmed at the cremation ground, collapses to the earth; the poet uses a vivid simile of Indra’s banner-staff.
Emotional sincerity and depth of love—Bharata’s grief is not performative but physically overpowering.