Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 80
भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage
शुक्लानंशुमतश्चापि दन्तधावनसञ्चयान्।शुक्लांश्चन्दनकल्कांश्च समुद्गेष्ववतिष्ठतः।।2.91.76।।दर्पणापरिमृष्टांश्च वाससां चापि सञ्चयान्।पादुकोपानहां चैव युग्मानिच सहस्रशः।।2.91.77।।आञ्जनीः कङ्कतान्कूर्चान् शस्त्राणि च धनूंषि च।मर्मत्राणानि चित्राणि शयनान्यासनानि च।।2.91.78।।प्रतिपानह्रदान्पूर्णन्खरोष्ट्रगजवाजिनाम्।अवगाह्यसुतीर्थांश्चह्रदान् सोत्पलपुष्करान्।2.91.79।।आकाश वर्णप्रतिमान् स्वच्छतोयान्सुखप्लवान्।नीपवैडूर्यवर्णांश्च मृदून्यवससञ्चयान्।निर्वापार्थान् पशूनां ते ददृशुस्तत्र सर्वशः।।2.91.80।।
śuklān aṃśumataś cāpi dantadhāvanasañcayān |
śuklāṃś candanakalkāṃś ca samudgeṣv avatiṣṭhataḥ ||
darpaṇāparimṛṣṭāṃś ca vāsasāṃ cāpi sañcayān |
pādukopānahāṃ caiva yugmāni ca sahasraśaḥ ||
āñjanīḥ kaṅkatān kūrcān śastrāṇi ca dhanūṃṣi ca |
marmatrāṇāni citrāṇi śayanāny āsanāni ca ||
pratipānahradān pūrṇān kharoṣṭragajavājinām |
avagāhyasutīrthāṃś ca hradān sotpalapuṣkarān ||
ākāśavarṇapratimān svacchatoyān sukhaplavān |
nīpavaiḍūryavarṇāṃś ca mṛdūn yavasañcayān |
nirvāpārthān paśūnāṃ te dadṛśus tatra sarvaśaḥ ||
There, on every side, they saw heaps of white bristly tooth-sticks; white lumps of sandal paste set in leaf-dishes; bright, well-polished mirrors; stores of garments; and thousands of pairs of sandals and shoes. They also saw collyrium-boxes, combs, moustache-brushes, weapons and bows, protective armour for vital parts, as well as beds and seats. There were pools of drinking water for donkeys, camels, elephants, and horses; and excellent bathing-fords with lotus and lily-filled waters. They beheld clear lakes, sky-blue in hue and pleasant for swimming, and soft heaps of fodder—green like kadamba and sapphire—laid out everywhere to refresh the animals.
There the soldiers beheld on every side stacks of toothbrushing sticks, white and bristled, white lumps of sandal paste placed in dishes made of leaves, well cleaned mirrors, collection of clothes, several pairs of footwear, collyrium boxes, combs,brushes for cleaning moustaches, weapons, parasoles, bows and shining armour, different kinds of couches, and seats. There were pools of drinking water for donkeys, camels, elephants and horses and excellent landing places filled with flowering lotuses and water lilies. The lakes were of transparent waters resembling the hue of the sky easy and comfortable for swimming. There they saw heaps of soft grass as green assapphire and kadamva trees for animals to refresh themselves under.
FAQs
Comprehensive responsibility (rājadharma): dharma includes caring for people and also for animals and resources—water, hygiene, rest, and safety—so that a community moves without harm or disorder.
The travelling group observes extensive arrangements—hygiene items, clothing, equipment, arms, bedding, and dedicated water/fodder facilities for pack and war animals—prepared along the way.
Prudent stewardship and compassion: attention to the needs of soldiers and animals alike, reflecting disciplined governance and humane order.