Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 83, Shloka 23
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्र्यशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Departure and Encampment on the Gaṅgā
Śṛṅgīberapura
निवेशयत मे सैन्यमभिप्रायेण सर्वतः।विश्रान्ताः प्रतरिष्यामश्श्व इदानीमिमां नदीम्।।2.83.23।।
niveśayata me sainyam abhiprāyeṇa sarvataḥ |
viśrāntāḥ pratariṣyāmaḥ śva idānīm imāṃ nadīm || 2.83.23 ||
Ipalagay ninyo ang aking hukbo sa lahat ng panig ayon sa nararapat; kapag sila’y nakapagpahinga, tatawirin natin ang ilog na ito bukas.
As he beheld the army following him and the river Ganga of sacred waters in front of him, Bharata who was proficient in speech said to his ministers:
FAQs
Dharma as responsible command: Bharata prioritizes the welfare and readiness of his people—rest before crossing—showing that righteous leadership balances urgency with care and practical wisdom.
Bharata instructs his officials to set up camp by the river for the night and to plan the crossing for the next day.
Prudence and compassion in governance—he avoids exhausting the army and chooses a safer, orderly plan.