Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 54, Shloka 28
भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः
Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa
दशक्रोश इतस्तात गिरिर्यत्रनिवत्स्यसि।महर्षिसेवितः पुण्यः सर्वतः सुखदर्शनः।।।।गोलाङ्गूलानुचरितो वानरर्क्षनिषेवितः।चित्रकूट इति ख्यातो गन्धमादनसन्निभः।।।।
daśakrośa itas tāta girir yatra nivatsyasi | maharṣisevitaḥ puṇyaḥ sarvataḥ sukhadarśanaḥ || golāṅgūlānucarito vānararkṣaniṣevitaḥ | citrakūṭa iti khyāto gandhamādanasannibhaḥ ||
Mon enfant, à dix krośas d’ici se trouve la montagne où tu pourras demeurer : sainte, visitée par de grands rishis, agréable à contempler de toutes parts. Des singes à longues queues y vagabondent, des vanaras et des ours l’habitent ; elle est renommée Citrakūṭa, semblable au mont Gandhamādana.
O my son! ten krosas (about twenty miles) from here is a mountain well-known as Chitrakuta, resembling 'Gandhamadana'. That mountain frequented by maharshis is sacred. It looks pleasant from all sides. Monkeys, apes and bears wander there and it is an appropriate place for you to live in.
FAQs
Dharma is supported by choosing a suitable environment: a sacred, sage-frequented, secluded region that sustains disciplined living and minimizes worldly distraction.
Bharadvāja answers Rāma’s request by directing him to Citrakūṭa, describing its sanctity, beauty, and natural inhabitants.
Bharadvāja’s benevolent guidance and practical wisdom—he provides a clear, safe, and dharmically appropriate destination.