Valmiki Ramayana 2.54.28: 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 ||
താതാ, ഇവിടെ നിന്ന് പത്ത് ക്രോശ ദൂരത്ത് നീ വസിക്കാവുന്ന ഒരു പർവ്വതമുണ്ട്—പുണ്യമായത്, മഹർഷിമാർ സേവിക്കുന്നതു, എല്ലാദിക്കിലും മനോഹരദർശനമുള്ളതു. ദീർഘവാലന്മാരായ വാനരങ്ങൾ അവിടെ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നു; വാനരരും ഋക്ഷന്മാരും (കരടികളും) വസിക്കുന്നു; അത് ‘ചിത്രകൂടം’ എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധം, ഗന്ധമാദനപർവ്വതസദൃശം.
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.
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