पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
सारथे पश्य विध्वस्ता साऽयोध्या न प्रकाशते।निराकारा निरानन्दा दीना प्रतिहतस्वरा।।।।
sārathe paśya vidhvastā sā ’yodhyā na prakāśate | nirākārā nirānandā dīnā pratihatasvarā ||
Sarathi, masdan mo—wasak na ang Ayodhyā at hindi na nagliliwanag; tila wala nang anyo, wala nang galak, abang-aba, at napipi ang mga tinig.
On approaching the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja, Bharata alighted from the chariot,and prostrated at his feet.
Satya (truthful perception) is part of dharma: Bharata names the city’s moral and emotional collapse, implying that a kingdom’s radiance depends on righteous presence and harmony, not mere walls and wealth.
Bharata directly addresses his charioteer upon seeing Ayodhyā’s bleak, silent condition after the king’s death and the princes’ absence.
Compassionate loyalty—Bharata’s pain shows attachment to rightful order and to his family, not ambition for rule.