Shloka 2.91.9

भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage

Devanagari script

ते वृक्षानुदकं भूमिमाश्रमेषूटजां स्तथा।न हिंस्युरिति तेनाऽहमेक एव समागतः।।।।

Transliteration

te vṛkṣān udakaṃ bhūmim āśrameṣv uṭajāṃs tathā |

na hiṃsyur iti tenāham eka eva samāgataḥ ||

Translation

Thinking, “They must not harm the trees, the water, the land, nor the huts in the hermitages,” I therefore came here alone.

Context

Lest the army should damage the huts, trees, land, and defile the water in the ashram, I came here alone.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Bharadvāja
• Āśrama (hermitage)
• Uṭaja (hut)

FAQs

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

Ahimsa and environmental reverence within dharma: sacred spaces (āśramas) and their natural resources should not be harmed, even unintentionally by a large force.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata explains why he personally approached the sage instead of bringing the entire army into the hermitage area.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s conscientious restraint and respect for ascetic life—protecting the hermitage and its ecology.