Shloka 2.54.43
भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः — Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa
प्रहृष्टकोयष्टिककोकिलस्वनैर्विनादितं तं वसुधाधरं शिवम्।मृगैश्च मत्तैर्बहुभिश्च कुञ्जरैः सुरम्यमासाद्य समावसाश्रमम्।।।।
vāsam aupayikaṃ manye tava rāma mahābala |
nānā-naga-gaṇopetaḥ kinnaroraga-sevitaḥ |
mayūra-nādābhiruto gajarāja-niṣevitaḥ ||
gamyatāṃ bhavatā śailaś citrakūṭaḥ sa viśrutaḥ |
puṇyaś ca ramaṇīyaś ca bahu-mūla-phalāyutaḥ ||
O mighty Rāma, I deem this a fitting place for you to dwell: the famed mountain Citrakūṭa. It is filled with many kinds of trees, frequented by kinnaras and serpents, resonant with peacocks’ calls, and visited by lordly elephants. Abounding in roots and fruits, it is both sacred and delightful—go there.
The auspicious mountain (Chaitrakuta) resounds with the note of cheerful lapwings and cuckoos. Intoxicated elephants and deer move about in the enchanting mountain. There you may settle down in a hermitage.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē catuḥpañcāśa ssargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fiftyfourth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Dharma is guidance toward a righteous mode of living in exile: choosing a suitable, resource-rich, and sacred place supports disciplined life, non-violence, and continuity of duty even away from the kingdom.
After reaching Bharadvāja’s vicinity near Prayāga, Rama receives counsel to proceed to the renowned mountain Citrakūṭa, described as ideal for residence during exile.
Wise counsel and protective compassion (of the sage): Bharadvāja recommends a safe, abundant, and spiritually conducive location, aligning Rama’s hardship with dharmic living.