Shloka 2.99.42
चित्रकूटप्राप्तिः — Bharata Reaches Chitrakuta and Beholds Rama
तान्पार्थिवान्वारणयूथपाभान्समागतां स्तत्र महत्यरण्ये।वनौकसस्तेऽपि समीक्ष्य सर्वेऽप्यश्रूण्यमुञ्चन्प्रविहाय हर्षम्।।2.99.42।।
dadarśa vane tasmin mahataḥ sañcayān kṛtān |
mṛgāṇāṁ mahiṣāṇāṁ ca karīṣaiḥ śaśīta-kāraṇāt || 2.99.7 ||
In that forest he also saw great heaps of dried dung—of deer and buffalo—stored as a safeguard against the cold.
On seeing the princes now assembled in the great forest like mighty leaders of elephant herds, inhabitants of the forest had nothing but tears of grief, not joy, to shed.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkōnaśatatamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the ninetyninth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Simplicity aligned with necessity: dharma in the forest is sustained by using minimal, available resources without indulgence.
Bharata notices practical preparations for cold—heaps of dung-cakes gathered in the forest.
Endurance and adaptability—life in exile is met with disciplined, humble means rather than complaint.