Shloka 3.15.16

पञ्चवटी-निवासः (Settlement at Pañcavaṭī and Construction of the Hermitage)

Devanagari script

सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च खर्जूरपनसाम्रकैः।नीवारैस्तिमिशैश्चैव पुन्नागैश्चोपशोभिताः।।।।चूतैरशोकैस्तिलकैश्चम्पकैः केतकैरपि।पुष्पगुल्मलतोपेतैस्तैस्तैस्तरुभिरावृताः।।।।चन्दनैस्पन्दनैर्नीपैः पर्णासैर्लिकुचैरपि।धवाश्वकर्णखदिरैः शमीकिंशुकपाटलैः।।।।

Transliteration

sauvarṇair ājatais tāmrair deśe deśe ca dhātubhiḥ | gavākṣitā ivābhānti gajāḥ paramabhaktibhiḥ ||

Translation

With veins of minerals—gold, silver, and copper—showing in place after place, the mountains shine as though patterned with window-like panels, splendid like great elephants marked with radiant streaks.

Context

The place is covered with sal and palmyrah trees including mango, jackfruit, dates, kadamba, punnaga, ashoka, champak, tilaka, ketaka, sandalwood, spandan, dhava, asvakarna parnasha, khadira, sami, kimsuka and patala trees. It is full of wild paddy, flowering bushes and creepers that run on the ground.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• mountains
• gold
• silver
• copper
• elephants (metaphor)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is refined perception without possessiveness: Rāma notices natural wealth (ores) aesthetically, not as objects for greed, aligning with the renunciant spirit of exile.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues portraying the region’s beauty, describing mineral-streaked mountains through vivid similes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Detachment (vairāgya) joined with sensitivity—he appreciates beauty while remaining focused on righteous living.