 नवनागसहस्राणि कल्पितानि यथाविधि।अन्वयुर्भरतं यान्तमिक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनम्।। 
 As per tradition, nine thousand elephants were arranged to follow Bharata, delight of the race of the Ikshvakus as he set out. 