Valmiki Ramayana 2.96.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 96, Shloka 3
चित्रकूटे सैन्यधूलिशब्ददर्शनम्
Alarm at Chitrakūṭa: Lakṣmaṇa sights the approaching army
तथा तत्राऽसतस्तस्य भरतस्यौपयायिनः ।
सैन्यरेणुश्च शब्दश्च प्रादुरास्तां नभस्पृशौ ॥३॥
tathā tatrāsatas tasya bharatasyaupayāyinaḥ |
sainyareṇuś ca śabdaś ca prādurāstāṃ nabhaspṛśau ||3||
जब राम वहाँ बैठे थे, तब भरत की सेना आ रही थी। सेना के पैरों की धूल ऊपर जा रही थी, आवाज़ भी हो रही थी। दोनों चीज़ें आसमान तक जा रही थीं।
Now as Rama was sitting there, the tumult and the dust raised by the approaching army of Bharata reached the sky.
FAQs
The verse sets the stage for a dharmic crisis: power and rightful succession are approaching in visible force, and the coming encounter will test restraint, duty, and truthfulness in action.
Bharata’s army draws near to Rāma’s location; its dust and noise become visible and audible from afar, signaling an imminent meeting or confrontation.
Rāma’s steadiness (dhairya) is implied: he remains seated and composed even as a massive army approaches.
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