Shloka 2.71.38
भरतस्य अयोध्याप्रत्यागमनम् — Bharata’s Return Journey and the Distant Sight of Ayodhya
सम्मार्जनविहीनानि परुषाण्युपलक्षये।।2.71.37।। असंयत कवाटानि श्रीविहीनानि सर्वशः। बलिकर्मविहीनानि धूपसम्मोदनेन च।।2.71.38।। अनाशितकुटुम्बानि प्रभाहीनजनानि च। अलक्ष्मीकानि पश्यामि कुटुम्बिभवनान्यहम्।।2.71.39।।
eṣā nātipratītā me puṇyodyānā yaśasvinī || 2.71.19 ||
ayodhyā dṛśyate dūrāt sārathe pāṇḍumṛttikā | yajvabhir guṇa-sampannair brāhmaṇair veda-pāragaiḥ || 2.71.20 ||
bhūyiṣṭham ṛddhair ākīrṇā rājarṣi-paripālitā |
“Charioteer, there is Ayodhyā—renowned and adorned with sacred gardens—yet from this distance it does not appear to me very clearly. That city of pale-white earth is filled with many wealthy folk, and with virtuous brāhmaṇas, priests of yajña, accomplished in the Vedas, and protected by royal sages.”
I see the unswept homes of householders standing dirty with doors not closed. There is no beauty anywhere. No one offers oblations (at the time of worship). There is no fragrance of burning incense. The families have no food to eat. The people look cheerless. I see inauspiciousness everywhere.
Dharma is framed as a civilizational order: Ayodhyā is praised as a city sustained by Vedic learning, sacrifice, virtue, and rājarṣi governance—an ideal of righteous polity.
As Bharata approaches, he points out Ayodhyā to his charioteer and describes its renowned, dharmic character and inhabitants.
Reverence for dharmic society—Bharata values Ayodhyā not merely for power or wealth but for its ethical and Vedic foundations.