Shloka 2.90.4

भरद्वाजाश्रमगमनम् (Bharata at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage)

Devanagari script

वसिष्ठमथ दृष्ट्वैव भरद्वाजो महातपाः।सञ्चचाऽलासनात्तूर्णं शिष्यानर्घ्यमिति ब्रुवन्।।2.90.4।।

Transliteration

vasiṣṭho bharataś cainaṃ papracchatur anāmayam |

śarīre 'gniṣu vṛkṣeṣu śiṣyeṣu mṛga-pakṣiṣu ||2.90.8||

Translation

Vasiṣṭha and Bharata, in turn, asked him about his well-being—his health, his sacred fires, the trees, his disciples, and the animals and birds of the hermitage.

Context

On seeing Vasistha, the great ascetic Bharadwaja immediately left his seat and said to his disciples, Bring offerings of water.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Bharata
• Bharadvāja (implied as recipient of inquiry)
• sacred fires (agni)
• disciples (śiṣya)
• trees (vṛkṣa)
• animals and birds (mṛga, pakṣi)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Reciprocity and care: dharma in relationships includes mutual inquiry and concern, extending even to the āśrama’s living ecology.

What is the narrative situation?

After Bharadvāja’s hospitality, Vasiṣṭha and Bharata respond by asking about the sage’s health and the condition of his hermitage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Consideration and reverence—Bharata and Vasiṣṭha show respectful attentiveness to a sage’s life and duties.