Shloka 2.98.17
चित्रकूटप्रवेशः — Bharata Enters the Forest Toward Chitrakuta
तं दृष्ट्वा भरत श्रीमान्मुमोद सह बान्धवः।अत्र राम इति ज्ञात्वा गतः पारमिवाम्भसः।।2.98.17।।
sa gireś citrakūṭasya sālam āsādya puṣpitam |
rāmāśramagatasya agner dadarśa dhvajam ucchritam ||2.98.16||
Reaching a flowering śāla tree on Mount Chitrakūṭa, he saw a tall, banner-like column of smoke rising from the fire in Rama’s hermitage.
On seeing the smoke, majestic Bharata in the company of relatives concluded that Rama was staying there and rejoiced like a man who had reached the other bank of the river.
Dharma is linked to āśrama-life and sacred order: the hermitage fire signifies disciplined living, hospitality, and truth-bound vows in exile.
Bharata visually locates Rama’s hermitage by noticing the smoke rising from the sacrificial/domestic fire.
Rama’s adherence to righteous living even in exile—maintaining the sacred fire and āśrama discipline—is emphasized.