Shloka 40

भरद्वाजाश्रमप्राप्तिः

Arrival at Bharadvāja’s Hermitage and Counsel toward Citrakūṭa

Devanagari script

वासमौपयिकं मन्ये तव राम महाबलनानानगगणोपेतः किन्नरोरगसेवितः।मयूरनादाभिरुतो गजराजनिषेवितः।।2.54.39।।गम्यतां भवता शैल श्चित्रकूटः स विश्रुतः।पुण्यश्च रमणीयश्च बहुमूलफलायुतः।।2.54.40।।

Transliteration

vāsam aupayikaṃ manye tava rāma mahābala |

nānā-naga-gaṇopetaḥ kinnaroraga-sevitaḥ |

mayūra-nādābhiruto gajarāja-niṣevitaḥ ||

gamyatāṃ bhavatā śailaś citrakūṭaḥ sa viśrutaḥ |

puṇyaś ca ramaṇīyaś ca bahu-mūla-phalāyutaḥ ||

Translation

ഹേ മഹാബലവാനായ രാമാ! നിനക്കു വസിക്കാൻ യോജിച്ച സ്ഥലം ഇതാണെന്ന് ഞാൻ കരുതുന്നു—പ്രസിദ്ധമായ ചിത്രകൂടപർവ്വതം. അത് നാനാവിധ വൃക്ഷസമൂഹങ്ങളാൽ സമ്പന്നമാണ്; കിന്നരന്മാരും നാഗന്മാരും സേവിക്കുന്നതാണ്; മയൂരനാദം മുഴങ്ങുന്നതും ഗജരാജന്മാർ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നതുമാണ്. മൂലഫലസമൃദ്ധവും പുണ്യവും മനോഹരവുമായ ആ പർവ്വതത്തിലേക്ക് നീ പോകുക.

Word by Word

तत्रthere

कुञ्जरयूथानिherds of elephants

मृगयूथानिherds of deer

चand

अभितःall around

विचरन्तिwander

वनान्तेin the forest-region

अस्मिन्in this

तानिthose (things)

द्रक्ष्यसिyou will see

राघवO Raghava

Context

The auspicious mountain (Chaitrakuta) resounds with the note of cheerful lapwings and cuckoos. Intoxicated elephants and deer move about in the enchanting mountain. There you may settle down in a hermitage.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē catuḥpañcāśa ssargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fiftyfourth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Bharadvāja

Citrakūṭa

Kinnara

Uraga (serpents)

Mayūra (peacocks)

FAQs

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

Dharma is guidance toward a righteous mode of living in exile: choosing a suitable, resource-rich, and sacred place supports disciplined life, non-violence, and continuity of duty even away from the kingdom.

What is the narrative situation?

After reaching Bharadvāja’s vicinity near Prayāga, Rama receives counsel to proceed to the renowned mountain Citrakūṭa, described as ideal for residence during exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Wise counsel and protective compassion (of the sage): Bharadvāja recommends a safe, abundant, and spiritually conducive location, aligning Rama’s hardship with dharmic living.