Shloka 2.83.5
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्र्यशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Departure and Encampment on the Gaṅgā (Śṛṅgīberapura)
शतं सहस्राण्यश्वानां समारूढानि राघवम्।अन्वयुर्भरतं यान्तं सत्यसन्धं जितेन्द्रियम्।।2.83.5।।
śataṃ sahasrāṇy aśvānāṃ samārūḍhāni rāghavam |
anvayur bharataṃ yāntaṃ satyasaṃdhaṃ jitendriyam || 2.83.5 ||
A hundred thousand horses, each mounted, followed Bharata as he went—true to his pledged word and master of his senses.
One hundred thousand horses each mounted by a rider followed Bharata, one who had conquered his passion and adhered to truth.
Satya and self-mastery as foundations of dharma: Bharata’s reliability (satyasaṃdha) and restraint (jitendriya) qualify him for righteous leadership and moral persuasion.
As Bharata proceeds with a massive mounted force, the narrator highlights not only the army’s magnitude but Bharata’s inner virtues.
Truthfulness and self-control—Bharata’s moral authority is portrayed as equal to (or greater than) his royal power.