Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 5
पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च
The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya
अदूराच्चित्रकूटस्य ददर्श भरतस्तदा।आश्रमं यत्र स मुनिर्भरद्वाजः कृतालयः।।।।
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.
FAQs
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.