Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya
Concise Bhāgavata Account
पादुके न्यस्य पुरत: प्राञ्जलिर्बाष्पलोचन: । तमाश्लिष्य चिरं दोर्भ्यां स्नापयन् नेत्रजैर्जलै: ॥ ३९ ॥ रामो लक्ष्मणसीताभ्यां विप्रेभ्यो येऽर्हसत्तमा: । तेभ्य: स्वयं नमश्चक्रे प्रजाभिश्च नमस्कृत: ॥ ४० ॥
pāduke nyasya purataḥ prāñjalir bāṣpa-locanaḥ tam āśliṣya ciraṁ dorbhyāṁ snāpayan netrajair jalaiḥ
Bharata déposa devant le Seigneur Rāmacandra Ses sandales de bois et, les mains jointes, demeura les yeux baignés de larmes. Rāma l’enlaça longuement de Ses deux bras et le baigna de Ses propres larmes. Puis, accompagné de Sītā et de Lakṣmaṇa, le Seigneur Rāma offrit Ses respects aux brāhmaṇas savants et aux aînés de la lignée; et tous les habitants d’Ayodhyā se prosternèrent devant le Seigneur.
This verse shows Bharata’s intense bhakti: he places Rama’s sandals before him, folds his hands, embraces Rama, and his tears become an offering—revealing devotion expressed through humility and heartfelt emotion.
Rama demonstrates maryādā (ideal conduct): honoring the most worthy brāhmaṇas and accepting the citizens’ respect, showing that true leadership is grounded in dharma and reverence for spiritual authority.
Practice humility and gratitude: respect spiritually mature people, honor teachers and elders, and let devotion be expressed through sincere service and heartfelt prayer rather than mere formality.