Valmiki Ramayana 2.113.19: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 19
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
Setting: Departing Bharadvāja-āśrama toward AyodhyāPlaces named: Ayodhyā, Bharadvāja-āśramaReturn journey to the capital
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा भरद्वाजं पुनः पुनः ।
भरतस्तु ययौ श्रीमानयोध्यां सह मन्त्रिभिः ॥१९॥
tataḥ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā bharadvājaṃ punaḥ punaḥ |
bharatas tu yayau śrīmān ayodhyāṃ saha mantribhiḥ ||19||
பின்னர் பரத்வாஜரை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் பிரதட்சிணம் செய்து, திருவுடைய பரதன் அமைச்சர்களுடன் அயோத்தியை நோக்கிப் புறப்பட்டான்.
Sandhi Notes
- śrīmānayodhyāṃ → śrīmān + ayodhyām.
Then illustrious Bharata circumambulated the sage several times in homage before heset out for Ayodhya with his counsellors.
The teaching
Political action gains legitimacy when preceded by humility toward sages and commitment to rightful order; reverence and resolve must travel together.
Duties in tension
- Rāja-dharma: stabilize the kingdom after Daśaratha’s death
- Bhrātṛ-dharma: uphold Rāma’s rightful claim and honor the exile’s moral truth
- Guru/ṛṣi-sammāna: seek and honor spiritual authority before political action
- Ethical theme
- Rāja-dharma / succession ethics
- How it resolves
- Prioritization of dharma through reverence and return to act responsibly
Devotion and practice
Pradakṣiṇā as daily practice: circling the sacred (guru, temple, dharma) before embarking on worldly duties.
- Form of praise
- Vandana (salutation)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Resolute, reverent, purposeful
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Ritual propriety
- Rajadharma
- Itihasa
Pradakṣiṇā signifies placing the center (wisdom/dharma) at one’s right—life-orientation around the higher principle; then action in the world (pravṛtti) proceeds grounded in that center.
The movement from āśrama (inner discipline) back to city (karma-kṣetra) mirrors the integration of knowledge and action—śānti informing pravṛtti.
- Bharata and Bharadvaja
- Devotee circumambulates sage repeatedly in reverence (pradakṣiṇā) (reverential)
- Bharata and Ministers
- Leader travels with counsel-bearing entourage (dutiful)
- Bharata and Ayodhya
- Heir returns to capital to address succession crisis (responsible)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.114-2.115 (Bharata reaches Ayodhyā; ensuing decisions about kingship and Rāma)
Rāmacaritamānasa (Ayodhyākāṇḍa): Bharata’s humility and return to Ayodhyā after meeting sages (broad parallel episode)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa travel sequences: Bharata’s march with ministers and army; later meeting with Rāma at Citrakūṭa (2.99-2.105 contextually earlier/later depending on sequence)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Narrative
Brisker gait on yayau śrīmān ayodhyām; respectful cadence on pradakṣiṇam
FAQs
Dharma includes proper closure and gratitude: one departs only after honoring and receiving blessings from the worthy.
Bharata completes formal reverence to Bharadvāja and begins the journey back to Ayodhyā with his entourage.
Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and disciplined conduct in public life, fitting for a ruler-in-trust.
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