Valmiki Ramayana 2.91.76-80: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shlokas 76-80
भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage
Setting: सरयू-तीर/तीर्थ-प्रदेश (Ayodhyā environs; encampment near river and lakes)Places named: तीर्थ, ह्रद, सुतीर्थ, प्रतिपानह्रदBharata’s march—halt with extensive provisioning
शुक्लानंशुमतश्चापि दन्तधावनसञ्चयान् ।
शुक्लांश्चन्दनकल्कांश्च समुद्गेष्ववतिष्ठतः ॥७६॥
दर्पणापरिमृष्टांश्च वाससां चापि सञ्चयान् ।
पादुकोपानहां चैव युग्मानिच सहस्रशः ॥७७॥
आञ्जनीः कङ्कतान्कूर्चान् शस्त्राणि च धनूंषि च ।
मर्मत्राणानि चित्राणि शयनान्यासनानि च ॥७८॥
प्रतिपानह्रदान्पूर्णन्खरोष्ट्रगजवाजिनाम् ।
अवगाह्यसुतीर्थांश्चह्रदान् सोत्पलपुष्करान् ॥७९॥
आकाश वर्णप्रतिमान् स्वच्छतोयान्सुखप्लवान् ।
नीपवैडूर्यवर्णांश्च मृदून्यवससञ्चयान् ।
निर्वापार्थान् पशूनां ते ददृशुस्तत्र सर्वशः ॥८०॥
śuklān aṃśumataś cāpi dantadhāvanasañcayān |
śuklāṃś candanakalkāṃś ca samudgeṣv avatiṣṭhataḥ ||76||
darpaṇāparimṛṣṭāṃś ca vāsasāṃ cāpi sañcayān |
pādukopānahāṃ caiva yugmāni ca sahasraśaḥ ||77||
āñjanīḥ kaṅkatān kūrcān śastrāṇi ca dhanūṃṣi ca |
marmatrāṇāni citrāṇi śayanāny āsanāni ca ||78||
pratipānahradān pūrṇān kharoṣṭragajavājinām |
avagāhyasutīrthāṃś ca hradān sotpalapuṣkarān ||79||
ākāśavarṇapratimān svacchatoyān sukhaplavān |
nīpavaiḍūryavarṇāṃś ca mṛdūn yavasañcayān |
nirvāpārthān paśūnāṃ te dadṛśus tatra sarvaśaḥ ||80||
وهناك، من كل جانب، رأوا أكوامًا من أعواد تنظيف الأسنان البيضاء الخشنة؛ وكتلًا بيضاء من معجون الصندل موضوعة في أطباق من أوراق؛ ومرايا لامعة مصقولة؛ ومخازن من الثياب؛ وآلاف الأزواج من النعال والأحذية. ورأوا كذلك علب الكُحل، والأمشاط والفُرَش؛ والأسلحة والأقواس؛ ودروعًا مزخرفة لحماية المواضع الحيوية، مع الأسرّة والمقاعد. وكانت هناك بركٌ للشرب مملوءة لحميرٍ وجِمالٍ وفيلةٍ وخيل؛ ومعابرُ استحمامٍ طيبة، وغدرانٌ مزدانة باللوتس وزنابق الماء. وشاهدوا بحيراتٍ صافية، بلون السماء، لذيذة للسباحة، وأكوامَ علفٍ لينة—خضراء كالكَدَمْبا ولامعة كالياقوت—مبسوطةً في كل مكان لإنعاش الدواب.
Sandhi Notes
- मनुष्यास्ते → मनुष्याः + ते
- तदद्भुतम् → तत् + अद्भुतम्
- दृष्ट्वाऽऽतिथ्यं → दृष्ट्वा + आतिथ्यम् (आ + आ sandhi)
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.
The teaching
Dharma includes care, preparedness, and protection—purity and comfort for people, readiness for defense, and compassion in provisioning animals.
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma (governance/administration)
For your practice
Models disciplined dinacaryā (cleanliness, grooming, order) and sattvic environment (clear water, lotus) supportive of japa and restraint even amid worldly duties.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Abundant, well-ordered, refreshing
Themes
- Dharma
- Maryada
- Itihasa
- Ethics
The ‘mirror’ motif can suggest self-inquiry (ātma-vicāra) and the need for a purified mind (clear water) to reflect the Self.
Katha/Chandogya imagery of clarity and reflection: a purified medium reveals truth; lotus imagery resonates with ‘in the world yet unstained’ ideal.
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.91.75, 2.91.78-79 (overlapping inventory and water/ghāṭ details); Mahābhārata: camp/provision catalogues in Udyoga/Āraṇyaka contexts (general parallel of royal logistics)
Smṛti/Āyurvedic daily regimen motifs: dantadhāvana, añjana, grooming as dinacaryā
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Bharata’s anuyātrā and the city/route’s preparedness; repeated emphasis on order and abundance
Anuṣṭup (śloka), with extended descriptive cataloguing across multiple pādas/verses
Narrative
Madhyama (middle register)
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.
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