Shloka 2.54.21
भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः — Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa
चिरस्य खलु काकुत्स्थ पश्यामि त्वामिहागतम्।श्रुतं तव मया चेदं विवासनमकारणम्।।।।
cirasya khalu kākutstha paśyāmi tvām ihāgatam | śrutaṃ tava mayā cedaṃ vivāsanam akāraṇam ||
O Kakutstha, after a long time I see you arrived here; and I have also heard of this banishment of yours, done without just cause.
O descendant of the Kakutstha dynasty, I am able to see you on your arrival here after a long time. I have also heard about your unwarranted banishment.
The verse foregrounds the dharmic ideal of just governance: exile should be grounded in valid reason; ‘akāraṇa’ punishment is ethically suspect.
Bharadvāja recognizes Rāma’s arrival and acknowledges hearing that Rāma has been exiled without proper cause.
Bharadvāja’s moral clarity and truthful awareness of events, paired with compassionate recognition of Rāma’s plight.