Shloka 2.78.18

अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)

Devanagari script

तेन भाण्डेन संस्तीर्णं श्रीमद्राजनिवेशनम्।अशोभत तदा भूयः शारदं गगनं यथा।।।।

Transliteration

tena bhāṇḍena saṃstīrṇaṃ śrīmad rāja-niveśanam | aśobhata tadā bhūyaḥ śāradaṃ gaganaṃ yathā ||

Translation

Strewn with those ornaments, the splendid royal residence shone all the more—like the clear autumn sky.

Context

The resplendent royal palace, strewn all over with several ornaments on the ground shone like the autumnal sky (studded with innumerable stars).

Characters & Entities

• royal palace (rāja-niveśana)
• ornaments (bhāṇḍa)
• autumn sky (śārada gagana)

FAQs

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

The verse juxtaposes beauty with disturbance: outward brilliance can coexist with inner disorder. Dharma emphasizes inner steadiness and right conduct beyond mere spectacle.

What is the narrative situation?

Ornaments scattered on the palace floor create a star-like visual, prompting a poetic comparison to the autumn sky.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Aesthetic sensitivity of the epic’s narration: the capacity to observe and frame events with poetic clarity, even amid turmoil.