Shloka 2.113.22
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च (The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya)
तां रम्यजलसंपूर्णां सन्तीर्य सहबान्धवःशृङ्गिबेरपुरं रम्यं प्रविवेश ससैनिकः।शृङ्गिबेरपुराद्भूय स्त्वयोध्यां सन्ददर्श ह।।।।
adūrāc citrakūṭasya dadarśa bharatas tadā | āśramaṃ yatra sa munir bharadvājaḥ kṛtālayaḥ ||
Not far from Citrakūṭa, Bharata then saw the hermitage (āśrama) where the sage Bharadvāja had made his dwelling.
Bharata along with his kins and his army crossed the Ganga with its overflowing, wonderful waters and entered the beautiful city of Sringiberapura and from there he proceeded until he beheld the city of Ayodhya.
Seeking guidance from the spiritually grounded is a dharmic act: royal decisions and journeys are oriented by proximity to sages and āśramas (centers of truth and restraint).
Bharata nears Citrakūṭa and comes upon Bharadvāja’s hermitage.
Humility before wisdom—recognizing the authority of sages in moral and political uncertainty.