Shloka 2.71.15
भरतस्य अयोध्याप्रत्यागमनम् — Bharata’s Return Journey and the Distant Sight of Ayodhya
वासं कृत्वा सर्वतीर्थे तीर्त्वा चोत्तानिकां नदीम्। अन्या नदीश्च विविधाः पार्वतीयैस्तुरङ्गमैः।।2.71.14।। हस्तिपृष्ठकमासाद्य कुटिकामत्यवर्तत। ततार च नरव्याघ्रो लौहित्ये स कपीवतीम्।।2.71.15।।
sa prāṅmukho rājagṛhād abhiniryāya rāghavaḥ | tatas sudāmāṃ dyutimān santīryāvekṣya tāṃ nadīm || 2.71.1 ||
hlādinīṃ dūrapārāṃ ca pratyaksrotaḥ-taraṅgiṇīm | śatadrūm atarac chrīmān nadīm ikṣvāku-nandanaḥ || 2.71.2 ||
Facing east, the radiant Rāghava prince set out from Rājagṛha; he beheld the river Sudāmā and crossed it. Thereafter, the delight of the Ikṣvāku line crossed the Hlādinī, and then the Śatadrū as well—broad, wave-crested, and flowing westward.
That tiger among men, Bharata halted at a place known as Sarvatirtha and crossed the Uttanika and various other rivers with the help of hillborn horses. He crossed the Kutika river on an elephant the river Kapivati at a place known as Lauhitya.
Dharma appears as steadfast pursuit of duty: the prince’s disciplined travel underscores commitment to a rightful task despite physical obstacles like wide rivers and difficult routes.
The narration describes Bharata’s route and progress as he departs Rājagṛha and crosses multiple rivers on the way toward Ayodhyā.
Perseverance and resolve—Bharata’s steady movement across challenging terrain reflects determination in the service of obligation.