Shloka 2.54.4
भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः — Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa
यथा क्षेमेण गच्छन् स पश्यंश्च विविधान् द्रुमान्।निवृत्तमात्रे दिवसे रामः सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।।।।
prayāgam abhitaḥ paśya saumitre dhūmam unnatam |
agner bhagavataḥ ketuṃ manye sannihito muniḥ ||
“Look, Saumitrī—near Prayāga a tall column of smoke rises, like the banner of the revered Fire-god Agni. I think a sage’s dwelling is close by.”
Walking on the safe path and observing various kinds of trees Rama said to Lakshmana at the end of the day:
Dharma is shown as reverence toward sacred signs and ascetics: Rama recognizes smoke as a marker of ritual life and anticipates a sage nearby, reflecting respect for spiritual authority.
While traveling near Prayāga, Rama notices a column of smoke and infers the presence of an āśrama, guiding their next approach.
Rama’s discernment and piety—he reads the landscape through a dharmic lens and responds with respectful caution.