Shloka 2.54.28
भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः — Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa
दशक्रोश इतस्तात गिरिर्यत्रनिवत्स्यसि।महर्षिसेवितः पुण्यः सर्वतः सुखदर्शनः।।।।गोलाङ्गूलानुचरितो वानरर्क्षनिषेवितः।चित्रकूट इति ख्यातो गन्धमादनसन्निभः।।।।
daśakrośa itas tāta girir yatra nivatsyasi | maharṣisevitaḥ puṇyaḥ sarvataḥ sukhadarśanaḥ || golāṅgūlānucarito vānararkṣaniṣevitaḥ | citrakūṭa iti khyāto gandhamādanasannibhaḥ ||
Dear child, ten krośas from here is the mountain where you may dwell—holy, frequented by great rishis, and pleasing to behold on every side. Long-tailed apes roam there, and monkeys and bears make it their home; it is famed as Citrakūṭa, resembling Mount Gandhamādana.
O my son! ten krosas (about twenty miles) from here is a mountain well-known as Chitrakuta, resembling 'Gandhamadana'. That mountain frequented by maharshis is sacred. It looks pleasant from all sides. Monkeys, apes and bears wander there and it is an appropriate place for you to live in.
Dharma is supported by choosing a suitable environment: a sacred, sage-frequented, secluded region that sustains disciplined living and minimizes worldly distraction.
Bharadvāja answers Rāma’s request by directing him to Citrakūṭa, describing its sanctity, beauty, and natural inhabitants.
Bharadvāja’s benevolent guidance and practical wisdom—he provides a clear, safe, and dharmically appropriate destination.