Shloka 2.89.7
गङ्गातरणम् — Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga
सुखा न श्शर्वरी राजन् पूजिताश्चापि ते वयम्।गङ्गां तु नौभिर्बह्वीभिर्दाशास्सन्तारयन्तु नः।।।।
āśvāsayitvā ca camūṃ mahātmā niveśayitvā ca yathopajoṣam | draṣṭuṃ bharadvājam ṛṣipravaryaṃ ṛtvigvṛtaḥ san bharataḥ pratasthē ||
Having comforted the army and settled it as they wished, the noble Bharata—surrounded by his priests—set out to behold the foremost sage, Bharadvāja.
O king (Guha)! the night passed comfortably for us. We have been honoured by you in many ways. Let your fishermen be ordered to ferry us across the Ganga in their boats.
Dharma is leadership joined with reverence: Bharata responsibly settles the army’s needs and then approaches a sage, honoring spiritual authority and counsel.
Having reached the Prayāga region, Bharata encamps his forces and goes with priests to visit sage Bharadvāja.
Bharata’s prudent command and humility before learned ascetics.