Shloka 2.17.19
रामस्य राजमार्गगमनम् (Rama’s Progress along the Royal Highway)
स राजकुलमासाद्य मेघसङ्घोपमै श्शुभैः।।2.17.17।।प्रासादशृङ्गैर्विविधैःकैलास शिखरोपमैः। आवारयद्भिर्गगनं विमानैरिव पाण्डुरैः।।2.17.18।।वर्धमानगृहैश्चापि रत्नजालपरिष्कृतैः। तत्पृथिव्यां गृहवरं महेन्द्रसदनोपमम्।।2.17.19।।राजपुत्रः पितुर्वेश्म प्रविवेश श्रिया ज्वलन्।
sa rājakulam āsādya megha-saṅghopamaiḥ śubhaiḥ || (2.17.17) prāsāda-śṛṅgair vividhaiḥ kailāsa-śikharopamaiḥ | āvārayadbhir gaganaṃ vimānair iva pāṇḍuraiḥ || (2.17.18) vardhamāna-gṛhaiś cāpi ratna-jāla-pariṣkṛtaiḥ | tat pṛthivyāṃ gṛha-varaṃ mahendra-sadanopamam || (2.17.19) rāja-putraḥ pitur veśma praviveśa śriyā jvalan ||
That palace on earth was like Mahendra’s dwelling, and the prince entered his father’s palace, shining with splendor.
That prince (Rama) arrived at the excellent palace of the king, which looked like the abode of Indra on earth, blazing with splendour. The various towers of the palace touching the sky resembled clusters of white clouds, like auspicious peaks of Kailasa, and like white aerial chariots decorated with gems.
The verse functions as narrative staging for dharmic action: Rama’s entry into the royal space precedes decisions and duties central to the Ayodhya narrative.
A repeated composite presentation emphasizing Rama’s entrance into his father’s palace.
Composure and dignity appropriate to a prince within the disciplined order of the court.