Shloka 11
Instruction to Śatrughna and the Mobilization for Rāma’s Aśvamedha
लक्ष्मण उवाच । वीराकर्णय मे वचः सुमधुरं श्रुत्वा त्वरातः पुनः । कार्यं तत्क्षितिपालमौलिमुकुटैर्घृष्टांघ्रि रामाज्ञया । सेनां कालबलप्रभंजनबलप्रोद्यत्समर्थांगिनीं । सज्जां सद्रथहस्तिपत्तिसुहयारोहैर्विधे ह्यन्विताम्
lakṣmaṇa uvāca | vīrākarṇaya me vacaḥ sumadhuraṃ śrutvā tvarātaḥ punaḥ | kāryaṃ tatkṣitipālamaulimukuṭairghṛṣṭāṃghri rāmājñayā | senāṃ kālabalaprabhaṃjanabalaprodyatsamarthāṃginīṃ | sajjāṃ sadrathahastipattisuhayārohairvidhe hyanvitām
Lakṣmaṇa sprach: „O Held, vernimm meine überaus süßen Worte; nachdem du sie gehört hast, handle abermals unverzüglich. Auf Rāmas Geheiß — dessen Füße die Kronen der Könige in Verehrung berühren — rüste ein Heer, in allen Gliedern tüchtig, aufstehend mit der Macht der Zeit und der Sturmwinde: bereit, versehen mit guten Wagen, Elefanten, Fußsoldaten und vortrefflichen Reitern, rechtmäßig ausgerüstet in gebührender Ordnung.“
Lakṣmaṇa
Concept: Obedience to righteous authority and disciplined preparedness are dharmic virtues; power is legitimate when subordinated to the Lord’s command and public order.
Application: Prepare thoroughly before undertaking major responsibilities; align strength with ethics; cultivate humility—status bows to dharma.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lakṣmaṇa stands before the assembled forces, his voice ‘sweet’ yet irresistible, as banners snap in a rising wind. Behind him, a symbolic vision shows Rāma’s feet receiving the touch of humbled crowns, while in the foreground chariots, elephants, infantry, and horsemen align in perfect order like a living mandala of power.","primary_figures":["Lakṣmaṇa","Senāpati","infantry (patti)","elephants (hasti) with mahouts","charioteers (rathin)","horsemen"],"setting":"Grand mustering ground outside the royal city: dust-lit plain, weapon standards, war drums, elephant lines, chariot rows, cavalry formation.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["dusty gold","banner crimson","elephant slate","lapis blue","bronze"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Lakṣmaṇa commanding the mustered army, with gold leaf highlighting armor, banners, and halos; a small upper register shows Rāma’s feet with prostrating kings and jeweled crowns; rich reds/greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch border, symmetrical military rows like temple processional order.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic muster scene with delicate brushwork—elephants, chariots, and cavalry in lyrical procession; Lakṣmaṇa central, refined features, dynamic hand gesture; pale sky and cool distant hills, rhythmic banners, controlled motion suggesting disciplined urgency.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and iconic arrangement—Lakṣmaṇa large and frontal, army units stylized into patterned bands; strong red/yellow/green palette with black detailing; a symbolic inset of Rāma’s pāda with crowns to emphasize lordship.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: transform the army into an ornate processional tableau with intricate floral borders; banners patterned like brocade; peacocks and lotus motifs at corners; deep indigo background with gold highlights; an upper medallion depicting Rāma’s feet and humbled crowns, presenting martial readiness as devotional seva."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["war drums","conch shell","elephant trumpets","hoofbeats","banner flapping","crowd murmur"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्क्षितिपाल... = तत् + क्षितिपाल...; मुकुटैर्घृष्टाङ्घ्रि = मुकुटैः + घृष्टाङ्घ्रि; रामाज्ञया = राम + आज्ञया; ...आरोहैर्विधे = ...आरोहैः + विधे; ह्यन्विताम् = हि + अन्विताम्.
FAQs
He urges swift action: to organize and ready a fully equipped army—chariots, elephants, infantry, and horsemen—under Rāma’s command.
It is a poetic image of sovereignty and dharmic authority: even kings bow so deeply to Rāma that their crown-jewels touch and rub his feet, indicating reverence and submission.
The verse emphasizes disciplined readiness and prompt execution of righteous leadership—acting decisively when commanded by a just and revered authority.