Shloka 2.71.2
भरतस्य अयोध्याप्रत्यागमनम् — Bharata’s Return Journey and the Distant Sight of Ayodhya
स प्राङ्मुखो राजगृहादभिनिर्याय राघवः। ततस्सुदामां द्युतिमान् सन्तीर्यावेक्ष्य तां नदीम्।।2.71.1।। ह्लादिनीं दूरपारां च प्रत्यक्स्रोतस्तरङ्गिणीम्। शतद्रूमतरच्छ्रीमान्नदीमिक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः।।2.71.2।।
ailādhāne nadīṃ tīrtvā prāpya cāpara-parpaṭān | śilām akurvatīṃ tīrtvā āgneyaṃ śalya-karṣaṇam || 2.71.3 ||
satya-sandhaḥ śuciḥ śrīmān prekṣamāṇaḥ śilāvahām | atyayāt sa mahāśailān vanaṃ caitrarathaṃ prati || 2.71.4 ||
Having crossed the river at Ailādhāna and reached the region of Apara-parpaṭa, he crossed the river that issues from the mountain, proceeding toward the northeastern Śalya-karṣaṇa. True to his word, pure-hearted and illustrious, he watched the course of the Śilāvahā and passed beyond the great mountains, heading toward the forest called Caitraratha.
Glorious and prosperous prince Bharata, the delight of the Ikshvaku race, set out from Rajagriha, took the eastern direction, and observing the course of the river Sudama crossed Hladini and Satadru rivers which were very wide and flowing westwards crested with waves.
Satya as dharma is foregrounded by ‘satya-sandha’: Bharata’s identity is tied to fidelity to vows, suggesting that righteous action is sustained by truthfulness even across arduous journeys.
The narrator tracks Bharata’s travel through named regions and waterways as he advances toward Ayodhyā, emphasizing route, direction, and terrain.
Truth-steadfastness (satya-sandhatā) along with purity and disciplined focus—virtues that support leadership and ethical reliability.