Shloka 2.17.6

रामस्य राजमार्गगमनम् (Rama’s Progress along the Royal Highway)

Devanagari script

ददर्श तं राजपथं दिवि देवपथं यथा।दध्यक्षतहविर्लाजैर्धूपैरगरुचन्दनैः।।।।नानामाल्योपगंधैश्च सदाऽभ्यर्चितचत्वरम्।

Transliteration

dadarśa taṃ rājapathaṃ divi devapathaṃ yathā |

dadhyakṣatahavirlājair dhūpair agarucandanaiḥ ||

nānāmālyopagandhaiś ca sadā 'bhyarcitacatvaram ||

Translation

He saw that royal road like the gods’ pathway in heaven, where the crossroads were continually worshipped with curd, grains, oblations, puffed rice, incense, agaru and sandalwood, and with many garlands and fragrances.

Context

Rama beheld the highway resembling the pathway of gods in heaven. Here the cross-roads were always worshipped with curd, grains of rice, sacrificial libations, laja or puffed rice, fragrant substances like sandal wood, agaru and garlands of every kind.

Characters & Entities

• royal highway (rājapatha)
• crossroads (catvara)
• incense (dhūpa)
• agaru
• sandalwood (candana)
• offerings (havis)
• puffed rice (lāja)
• unhusked rice (akṣata)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes reverent public worship and auspicious conduct in shared spaces, linking civic life with sacred responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

The text describes the sanctified, regularly worshipped crossroads along the route Rāma travels.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for tradition—Ayodhyā’s society maintains continual ritual order, reflecting collective dharmic discipline.