Shloka 2.6.18

रामाभिषेकपूर्वसज्जा — Preparations for Rama’s Coronation

Devanagari script

प्रकाशकरणार्थं च निशागमनशङ्कया।दीपवृक्षां स्तथा चक्रुरनु रथ्यासु सर्वशः।।2.6.18।।

Transliteration

kṛtapuṣpopahāraś ca dhūpagandhādhivāsitaḥ |

rājamārgaḥ kṛtaḥ śrīmān paurai rāmābhiṣecane || 2.6.17 ||

Translation

For Rāma’s coronation, the citizens made the royal highway splendid—strewn with offerings of flowers and filled with the fragrance of incense.

Context

In the same way lest night should fall (by the time the installation ceremony was completed), the streets were provided with lamps in the shape of trees to light them up.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Ayodhyā (implied city setting)
• citizens (paura)
• royal road (rājamārga)
• flowers (puṣpa)
• incense (dhūpa)

FAQs

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

Civic dharma: the people uphold social order and righteousness by honoring a worthy ruler and participating responsibly in public rites.

What is the narrative situation?

Ayodhyā is being ceremonially prepared for Rāma’s coronation; the main road is decorated and perfumed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective devotion and public-mindedness—the citizens’ willingness to serve the common good through respectful celebration.