Shloka 2.91.39
भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage
आसनं पूजयामास रामायाभिप्रणम्य च।वालव्यजनमादाय न्यषीदत्सचिवासने।।।।
āsanaṃ pūjayāmāsa rāmāyābhipraṇamya ca | vāla-vyajanam ādāya nyaṣīdat sacivāsane ||
He bowed in reverence to Rāma and honored the throne as though it were His; then, taking up the yak-tail fan, he sat upon a minister’s seat instead.
He bowed in reverence and worshipped the throne (as though Rama were seated there). Taking hold of a fan made of yak's tail he sat in a minister's seat.
Dharma and satya appear as fidelity to rightful kingship: Bharata treats the throne as Rama’s, refusing to appropriate what is not his, even when circumstances could justify it politically.
In the lavishly arranged royal chamber, Bharata reveres Rama symbolically by honoring the throne and chooses a subordinate seat, signaling his intent not to assume Rama’s place.
Integrity and brotherly devotion—Bharata’s inner truth aligns with outward action.