Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 92, Shloka 33
भरद्वाजाश्रमात् चित्रकूटमार्गनिर्देशः
Directions from Bharadvaja’s Hermitage to Chitrakuta
गजकन्या गजाश्चैव हेमकक्ष्याः पताकिनः। जीमूता इव घर्मान्ते सघोषास्सम्प्रतस्थिरे।।2.92.33।।
gaja-kanyā gajāś caiva hema-kakṣyāḥ patākinaḥ | jīmūtā iva gharmānte sa-ghoṣāḥ sampratasthire || 2.92.33 ||
Female elephants and male elephants alike—girt with golden bands and bearing pennants—set out with resonant sound, like thunderclouds gathering at summer’s end.
The women headed by Kausalya, eager to see Rama, proceeded delightfully in distinguished carriages.
FAQs
Dharma is implicit as legitimate royal order: regulated strength used in pursuit of a rightful mission rather than chaos or personal aggression.
The elephant corps—decorated and audible—moves out as part of Bharata’s traveling force.
Collective resolve and organized power directed toward duty.