Valmiki Ramayana 2.91.65: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 65
भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage
Setting: Bharata’s camp during the hospitality haltHalt with provisioning and clothing distribution
प्रेष्याश्चेट्यश्च वध्वश्च बलस्थाश्च सहस्रशः ।
बभूवुस्ते भृशं दृप्तास्सर्वे चाहतवाससः ॥६५॥
preṣyāś ceṭyaś ca vadhvaś ca balasthāś ca sahasraśaḥ |
babhūvus te bhṛśaṃ dṛptāḥ sarve cāhatavāsasaḥ ||65||
Boten, Dienerinnen, Frauen im Dienst und die Gefolgsleute des Lagers—zu Tausenden—waren alle in frischen, unversehrten Gewändern und von großer Hochstimmung erfüllt.
Sandhi Notes
- preṣyāḥ + ceṭyaḥ → preṣyāś ceṭyaḥ
- vadhvaḥ + ca → vadhvaś ca
- balasthāḥ + ca → balasthāś ca
- babhūvuḥ + te → babhūvus te
- dṛptāḥ + sarve → dṛptās sarve
- ca + āhata- → cāhata-
Messengers, maidservants, female attendants, and soldiers -- all of them in their thousands dressed in fresh garments felt exceedingly proud of themselves.
The teaching
Proper provisioning and honoring of all ranks sustains morale and reflects good governance.
- Ethical theme
- Rāja-dharma / social ethics
For your practice
See service roles as sacred; cultivate dignity in duty and gratitude for support received.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Hasya (humour)
- Mood
- Splendid, elated, bright
Themes
- Itihasa
- Dharma
- Royal camp
- Welfare
- Social order
New garments as a symbol of external renewal—yet true renewal is inner (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).
Implicit contrast between outer adornment and the 'inner self' that is not clothed (later Upaniṣadic imagery of the Self beyond coverings).
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.91.61-64 (same hospitality sequence)
Purāṇic and Itihāsa scenes where distribution of garments marks honor and auspiciousness
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Bharata’s royal resources and orderly retinue contrasted with Rāma’s forest simplicity
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Narrative
Madhyama (middle register)
FAQs
Dharma is reflected in dignified treatment of all ranks—ensuring even attendants and staff are well-clothed and cared for.
The narrative lists various groups in the encampment and notes their prosperity and celebratory mood.
Responsible stewardship—material welfare provided across the entire social and military structure.
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