Shloka 2.76.16

दशरथस्य अन्त्येष्टि-विधानम् — Dasaratha’s Funeral Rites and Ayodhya’s Mourning

Devanagari script

चन्दनागरुनिर्यासान् सरलं पद्मकं तथा।देवदारूणि चाहृत्य क्षेपयन्ति तथापरे।।2.76.16।।गन्धानुच्चावचांश्चान्यां स्तत्र गत्वाथ भूमिपम्।तत्र संवेशयामासुश्चितामध्ये तमृत्विजः।।2.76.17।।

Transliteration

candana-agaru-niryāsān saralaṁ padmakaṁ tathā | devadārūṇi cāhṛtya kṣepayanti tathāpare || 2.76.16 ||

gandhān uccāvacāṁś cānyān tatra gatvātha bhūmipam | tatra saṁveśayāmāsuś citā-madhye tam ṛtvijaḥ || 2.76.17 ||

Translation

Others brought sandalwood, agaru, fragrant resins, and woods such as sarala, padmaka, and deodāra, and they strewed them there. Having come to that place with many other perfumes besides, the priests then laid the king’s body in the middle of the pyre.

Context

In this way others brought sandal, agaru and fragrant gum gugul, the resin of balsa tree and woods of sarala, padmaka and devadaru and built a pyre and strew many kinds of fragrant substances on it. Thereafter the priests laid the mortal remains of the king in the centre of the pyre.

Characters & Entities

• Ṛtvij (priests)
• Daśaratha (bhūmipa, implied)
• Citā (funeral pyre)
• Candana (sandalwood)
• Agaru
• Niryāsa (fragrant resin)
• Sarala wood
• Padmaka wood
• Devadāru wood
• Gandha (perfumes)

FAQs

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

Dharma is enacted through meticulous rites and reverent preparation; truthfulness (satya) here is fidelity to sacred custom and honoring the deceased with care.

What is the narrative situation?

Perfumed woods and resins are gathered and strewn to prepare the pyre; the priests place the king’s body at its center.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and precision—ritual specialists and attendants show respect through careful, rule-aligned preparation.