Shloka 29

भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः

Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa

Devanagari script

दशक्रोश इतस्तात गिरिर्यत्रनिवत्स्यसि।महर्षिसेवितः पुण्यः सर्वतः सुखदर्शनः।।2.54.28।।गोलाङ्गूलानुचरितो वानरर्क्षनिषेवितः।चित्रकूट इति ख्यातो गन्धमादनसन्निभः।।2.54.29।।

Transliteration

daśakrośa itas tāta girir yatra nivatsyasi | maharṣisevitaḥ puṇyaḥ sarvataḥ sukhadarśanaḥ || golāṅgūlānucarito vānararkṣaniṣevitaḥ | citrakūṭa iti khyāto gandhamādanasannibhaḥ ||

Translation

താതാ, ഇവിടെ നിന്ന് പത്ത് ക്രോശ ദൂരത്ത് നിന്റെ വാസത്തിന് യോജിച്ച പർവ്വതമുണ്ട്—പുണ്യമായത്, മഹർഷിമാർ സന്ദർശിക്കുന്നതു, എല്ലാദിക്കിലും മനോഹരം. അവിടെ വാനരങ്ങളും കപികളും ഋക്ഷന്മാരും (കരടികളും) സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നു; അത് ‘ചിത്രകൂടം’ എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധം, ഗന്ധമാദനസദൃശം.

Word by Word

गोलाङ्गूलानुचरितःroamed by long-tailed monkeys

वानरर्क्षनिषेवितःinhabited by monkeys and bears

चित्रकूटःChitrakuta

इतिthus, by name

ख्यातःwell-known, famed

गन्धमादनसन्निभःresembling Gandhamadana (mountain)

Context

O my son ten krosas (about twenty miles) from here is a mountain wellknown 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.

Characters & Entities

Bharadvāja

Rāma

Citrakūṭa

Gandhamādana

vānarāḥ (monkeys)

golāṅgūla (long-tailed apes)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse reinforces dharma through wise placement: selecting a holy landscape that supports righteous conduct and stability during exile.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse repeats Bharadvāja’s guidance to go to Citrakūṭa, as preserved in the provided Southern Recension input.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharadvāja’s steadfast guidance and care for Rāma’s dharmic path, ensuring the exile proceeds with minimal harm and maximum spiritual suitability.