Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 35
Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya
Concise Bhāgavata Account
भरत: प्राप्तमाकर्ण्य पौरामात्यपुरोहितै: । पादुके शिरसि न्यस्य रामं प्रत्युद्यतोऽग्रजम् ॥ ३५ ॥ नन्दिग्रामात् स्वशिबिराद् गीतवादित्रनि:स्वनै: । ब्रह्मघोषेण च मुहु: पठद्भिर्ब्रह्मवादिभि: ॥ ३६ ॥ स्वर्णकक्षपताकाभिर्हैमैश्चित्रध्वजै रथै: । सदश्वै रुक्मसन्नाहैर्भटै: पुरटवर्मभि: ॥ ३७ ॥ श्रेणीभिर्वारमुख्याभिर्भृत्यैश्चैव पदानुगै: । पारमेष्ठ्यान्युपादाय पण्यान्युच्चावचानि च । पादयोर्न्यपतत् प्रेम्णा प्रक्लिन्नहृदयेक्षण: ॥ ३८ ॥
bharataḥ prāptam ākarṇya paurāmātya-purohitaiḥ pāduke śirasi nyasya rāmaṁ pratyudyato ’grajam
Ao saber que o Senhor Rāmacandra retornava à capital, Ayodhyā, Bharata colocou sobre a própria cabeça as sandálias de madeira do Senhor e saiu do acampamento em Nandigrāma, acompanhado por ministros, sacerdotes e cidadãos respeitáveis, para receber o irmão mais velho.
FAQs
This verse shows Bharata honoring Rāma’s sandals on his head and personally going to receive Him—an emblem of deep surrender and servant-hearted devotion.
Bharata treated the Lord’s sandals as non-different from Rāma Himself, expressing reverence, submission, and his acceptance of Rāma as the true king and master.
Honor rightful authority, serve without ego, and place duty and devotion above personal ambition—this is Bharata’s example.