Shloka 2.99.17
चित्रकूटप्राप्तिः — Bharata Reaches Chitrakuta and Beholds Rama
इति लोकसमाक्रुष्टः पादेष्वद्य प्रसादयन्।रामस्य निपतिष्यामि सीताया लक्ष्मणस्य च।।2.99.17।।
iti loka-samākruṣṭaḥ pādeṣv adya prasādayan |
rāmasya nipatiṣyāmi sītāyā lakṣmaṇasya ca ||2.99.17||
Thus, reviled by the people, I shall today fall at the feet of Rāma—and of Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa—seeking their gracious forgiveness.
Reviled by the world, I shall now fall at the feet of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana seeking their grace.
Dharma is shown as humility and restitution: when one is implicated in wrongdoing (even indirectly), the righteous path is to seek pardon and restore harmony through truthful submission.
Bharata resolves to approach Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa with reverence and to beg their grace, aware of public blame.
Bharata’s humility—expressed through prostration and active seeking of forgiveness rather than insisting on status or entitlement.