Bharata had His army settle on a land one krośa away from Bharadvāja’s āśrama and went with Vasiṣṭha on foot to meet him. After Vasiṣṭha and Bharadvāja honored each other, Bharata offered His respectful obeisances unto Bharadvāja’s feet. Bharadvāja inquired about Bharata’s welfare and then inquired from Bharata about His attitude towards Rāma. Bharata became sad to hear this. He informed the sage that He had actually come to get Rāmacandra back to Ayodhyā and asked him where Rāma resided. The great sage was pleased to hear this and informed Bharata that Rāma resided at Citrakūṭa. He also instructed Him to stay at His āśrama overnight and depart for Citrakūṭa the next day, early in morning, to meet Rāma.