Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.35-38
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesWelcome the Lord With Loving Reverence
“When Lord Bharata understood that Lord Rāmacandra was returning to the capital, Ayodhyā, He immediately took upon His own head Lord Rāmacandra’s wooden shoes and came out from His camp at Nandigrāma. Lord Bharata was accompanied by ministers, priests and other respectable citizens, by professional musicians vibrating pleasing musical sounds, and by learned brāhmaṇas loudly chanting Vedic hymns. Following in the procession were chariots drawn by beautiful horses with harnesses of golden rope. These chariots were decorated by flags with golden embroidery and by other flags of various sizes and patterns. There were soldiers bedecked with golden armor, servants bearing betel nut, and many well-known and beautiful prostitutes. Many servants followed on foot, bearing an umbrella, whisks, different grades of precious jewels, and other paraphernalia befitting a royal reception. Accompanied in this way, Lord Bharata, His heart softened in ecstasy and His eyes full of tears, approached Lord Rāmacandra and fell at His lotus feet with great ecstatic love.”
What the purport teaches
- Hearing that Lord Rāmacandra was returning, Bharata immediately placed the Lord’s wooden shoes on His head and left Nandigrāma to receive Him.
- Ministers, priests, citizens and servants joined the royal procession, with pleasing music and loudly chanted Vedic hymns.
- With His heart softened in ecstasy and His eyes full of tears, Bharata fell at Lord Rāmacandra’s lotus feet in great love.
Try this today
Offer a respectful bow to Lord Rāmacandra, remembering Bharata’s loving reverence.
Ask yourself
What touches you most about Bharata’s loving welcome?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.