Shloka 2.15.36
अभिषेकसज्जा तथा सुमन्त्रस्य प्रेषणम् (Coronation Preparations and Sumantra’s Commission)
महाकवाटविहितं वितर्दिशतशोभितम्।।2.15.32।।काञ्चनप्रतिमैकाग्रं मणिविद्रुमतोरणम्। शारदाभ्रघनप्रख्यं दीप्तं मेरुगुहोपमम्।।2.15.33।।मणिभिर्वरमाल्यानां समुहद्भिरलंकृतम्।मुक्तामणिभिराकीर्णं चन्दनागरूधूपितम्।।2.15.34।।गन्धान्मनोज्ञान् विसृजद्दार्दुरं शिखरं यथा।सारसैश्च मयूरैश्च विनदद्भिर्विराजितम्।।2.15.35।।सुकृतेहामृगाकीर्णं सुकीर्णं भक्तिभिस्तथा।मनश्चक्षुश्च भूतानामाददत्तिग्मतेजसा।।2.15.36।।चन्द्रभास्करसङ्काशं कुबेरभवनोपमम्।महेन्द्रधामप्रतिमं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम्।।2.15.37।।मेरुशृङ्गसमं सूतो रामवेश्म ददर्श ह।उपस्थितैःसमाकीर्णं जनैरञ्जलिकारिभिः।।2.15.38।।उपादाय समाक्रान्तैस्तथा जानपदैर्जनैः।रामाभिषेकसुमुखैरुन्मुखैस्समलंकृतम्।।2.15.39।।महामेघसमप्रख्यमुदग्रं सुविभूषितम्।नानारत्नसमाकीर्णं कुब्जकैरातकावृतम्।।2.15.40।।
sukṛtehāmṛgākīrṇaṃ sukīrṇaṃ bhaktibhis tathā |
manaś cakṣuś ca bhūtānām ādadat tigmatejasā || 2.15.36 ||
It was filled with finely wrought deer-figures and richly spread with ornamentation; by its keen brilliance it captivated both the minds and the eyes of all living beings.
The charioteer (Sumantra) beheld Rama's palace closed with two heavypanelled doors. Adorned with hundreds of galleries, it had a peak mounted with golden idols. The arches were studded with different gems and corals. Bright like dense autumnal cloud, it shone like the cave of mount Meru. It was ornamented with excellent garlands and precious diamonds. Pearls were strewn around. Decorated with sandal and aloe wood, it emitted, like the peak of mount Dardura, captivating fragrance৷৷ Sarasas and peacocks were singing sweetly. The palace was full of skilfully carved images of deer and other embellishments. It attracted the minds and the eyes of all living beings with brilliant splendour. Resplendent like the Sun and the Moon, it looked like the abode of Kubera and a reflected image of the abode of Mahendra. It was crowded with birds of various kinds. In height it was equal to the peak of mount Meru. Villagers thronged the palace with gifts, eagerly waiting with folded hands to see the spectacle of Rama's coronation. Lofty, it looked like a vast cloud. Welldecked and filled with various gems, it was crowded with hunchbacks and kiratas (hunters) too.
The verse supports rājadhrama indirectly: a righteous ruler’s household and public space are depicted as orderly, refined, and uplifting—beauty and discipline functioning as outward signs of inner virtue and good governance.
As Sumantra approaches Rama’s residence in Ayodhyā, the narration lingers on the palace’s splendor, emphasizing how its brilliance and artistry impress all who behold it.
Rāma’s princely excellence (śrī and tejas) is implied: the palace’s radiance and tasteful ornamentation reflect a life aligned with maryādā (propriety) and the public’s reverence for him.