Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 30
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्
Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King
मेघनादमसम्बाधं मणिहेमविभूषितम्।मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि प्रभया सूर्यवर्चसम्।।2.16.29।।करेणुशिशुकल्पैश्च युक्तं परमवाजिभिः।हरियुक्तं सहस्राक्षो रथमिन्द्र इवाशुगम्।।2.16.30।।प्रययौ तूर्णमास्थाय राघवो ज्वलितश्श्रिया।
meghanādam asambādhaṃ maṇihemavibhūṣitam |
muṣṇantam iva cakṣūṃṣi prabhayā sūryavarcasam ||
karēṇuśiśukalpaiś ca yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ |
hariyuktaṃ sahasrākṣo ratham indra ivāśugam ||
The chariot thundered like a cloud, broad and spacious, adorned with gold and jewels—its radiance seeming to steal the gaze, shining with the brilliance of the sun. Harnessed to superb horses, like young elephants in their vigor, it sped swiftly like Indra’s own thousand-eyed chariot drawn by his steeds.
He saw aged people appointed as security staff for women's apartments. They werewelladorned, dressed in orange robes and with rapt attention stood holding staff in their hands.
FAQs
Dharma here is expressed through royal maryādā: splendor and power are portrayed as instruments of righteous kingship—public order, protection, and legitimacy—rather than personal indulgence.
The narration describes the majestic chariot prepared for Rāma and his swift movement as he sets out, framed in imagery comparing him to Indra.
Rāma’s kṣātra-tejas (royal valor and presence) aligned with restraint—splendor that serves duty and public responsibility.