Shloka 2.99.26
चित्रकूटप्राप्तिः — Bharata Reaches Chitrakuta and Beholds Rama
तं तु कृष्णाजिनधरं चीरवल्कलवाससम्।ददर्श राममासीनमभितः पावकोपमम्।।2.99.26।।सिंहस्कन्धं महाबाहुं पुण्डरीकनिभेक्षणम्।पृथिव्यास्सागरान्तायाः भर्तारं धर्मचारिणम्।।2.99.27।।उपविष्टं महाबाहुं ब्रह्माणमिव शाश्वतम्।स्थण्डिले दर्भसंस्तीर्णे सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च।।2.99.28।।
taṃ tu kṛṣṇājinadharaṃ cīra-valkala-vāsasam |
dadarśa rāmam āsīnam abhitaḥ pāvakopamam || 2.99.26 ||
He saw Rama seated there, clad in black antelope-skin and garments of bark—radiant and intense like fire.
He saw Rama, lord of the ocean-bound earth, seated like blazing fire, clad in antelope skin and garment of bark, with long arms and shoulders like a lion and eyes like white lotuses. The mighty-armed warrior seemed like Brahma, the creator and the eternal, protector of righteousness. Accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana Rama sat on the bare ground strewn with darbha grass.
Dharma is inner brilliance independent of status: Rama’s radiance remains undiminished though he wears ascetic clothing, showing that righteousness is not tied to royal luxury.
Bharata visually recognizes Rama in exile attire and perceives his spiritual-heroic presence through the fire simile.
Rama’s tejas (moral-spiritual splendor) and unwavering composure in hardship.