Shloka 9

भरतस्य धर्मप्रतिज्ञा तथा रामनिवर्तनयात्रा

Bharata’s Vow of Dharma and the Expedition to Recall Rama

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा भरतो वाक्यं शोकेनाभिपरिप्लुतः।जगाम मनसा रामं धर्मज्ञो धर्मकाङ्क्षया।।।।

Transliteration

tac chrutvā bharato vākyam śokenābhipariplutaḥ | jagāma manasā rāmaṃ dharmajño dharmakāṅkṣayā ||

Translation

ఆ మాటలు విని ధర్మాన్ని తెలిసిన భరతుడు శోకంతో పూర్తిగా మునిగిపోయాడు. అయినా ధర్మాచరణ కోరికతో మనసులోనే శ్రీరాముని స్మరించి, చిత్తాన్ని ఆయనపై నిలిపాడు॥

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular (object of hearing)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); 'having heard'

• भरतः: Bharata
• भरतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular

• वाक्यम्: speech/words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• शोकेन: with grief
• शोकेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• अभिपरिप्लुतः: overwhelmed
• अभिपरिप्लुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-परि-√प्लु (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; 'overwhelmed'

• जगाम: went
• जगाम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; 'went/reached'

• मनसा: with (his) mind
• मनसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular; 'with the mind'

• रामम्: Rama
• रामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular (object of 'went to' mentally)

• धर्मज्ञः: knower of duty
• धर्मज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म-ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular qualifying भरतः

• धर्मकाङ्क्षया: with longing for righteousness
• धर्मकाङ्क्षया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म-काङ्क्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular; 'with desire for dharma'

Context

On hearing those words, Bharata who knew his duty was overwhelmed with distressand, resolved to abide by righteousness, reached Rama through his mind (thought of Rama).

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rama

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Even in intense sorrow, Bharata’s inner aim is dharma—his mind turns toward Rama as the rightful standard of righteousness and legitimate kingship, showing that duty should guide emotion.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing distressing news/words in the unfolding crisis at Ayodhya, Bharata becomes grief-stricken and mentally reaches for Rama, preparing inwardly for the righteous course.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s dharma-consciousness and loyalty—his immediate impulse is not self-advantage but alignment with what is right, centered on Rama.