Shloka 2.93.4

चित्रकूटमार्गवर्णनम् — Bharata’s Army Reaches Chitrakuta and Searches for Rama

Devanagari script

सागरौघनिभा सेना भरतस्य महात्मनः। महीं सञ्छादयामास प्रावृषि द्यामिवाम्बुदः।।2.93.4।।

Transliteration

ayaṃ giriś citrakūṭa iyaṃ mandākinī nadī | etat prakāśate dūrān nīlameghanibhaṃ vanam || 2.93.8 ||

Translation

This is Mount Citrakūṭa, and this is the river Mandākinī; and from afar that forest gleams, like a dark-blue cloud.

Context

The army of the magnanimous Bharata, resembling the waves of the ocean, covered the earth as the clouds cover the sky during the rainy season.

Characters & Entities

• Citrakūṭa
• Mandākinī
• Bharata
• Vasiṣṭha
• vana (forest)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is situated in place: Citrakūṭa and Mandākinī become markers of the exile narrative, reminding that righteous living may unfold away from royal comfort.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata points out key landmarks—Citrakūṭa and Mandākinī—indicating proximity to where Rāma is staying.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Purposeful focus (lakṣya-niṣṭhā): Bharata’s attention is fixed on reaching Rāma, reading the landscape as guidance toward his duty.