Shloka 2.80.1

मर्गनिर्माणम् (Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata)

Devanagari script

अथ भूमिप्रदेशज्ञास्सूत्रकर्मविशारदाः।स्वकर्माभिरताश्शूराः खनका यन्त्रकास्तथा।।।।कर्मान्तिकाः स्थपतयः पुरुष यन्त्रकोविदाः।तथा वार्धकयश्चैव मार्गिणो वृक्षतक्षकाः।।।।कूपकारास्सुधाकारार्वंशकर्मकृतस्तथा।समर्था ये च द्रष्टारः पुरतस्ते प्रतस्थिरे।।।।

Transliteration

atha bhūmipradeśajñāḥ sūtrakarmaviśāradāḥ |

svakarmābhiratāḥ śūrāḥ khanakā yantrakās tathā ||

karmāntikāḥ sthapatayaḥ puruṣā yantrakovidāḥ |

tathā vārdhakayaś caiva mārgiṇo vṛkṣatakṣakāḥ ||

kūpakārāḥ sudhākārā vaṅśakarmakṛtas tathā |

samarthā ye ca draṣṭāraḥ puratas te pratasthire ||

Translation

Thereafter, land-surveyors and expert measurers set out in advance—brave men devoted to their tasks: excavators and engineers, skilled craftsmen, architects and mechanics; carpenters, road-makers and tree-cutters; well-diggers, plasterers and whitewashers, bamboo-workers, and competent overseers—moving ahead at the front.

Context

Then surveyors, experts in measurment, energetic and zealous labourers, excavators, engineers, skilled workers, architects, craftsmen, carpenters, road-levellers, wood-cutters, well-diggers, whitewashers, basket-makers, competent supervisors were sent in advance.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata (implied by sarga context)
• sthapati (architects)
• yantraka/yantrakovida (engineers/mechanics)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma as responsible governance: organizing skilled labor and supervision to ensure safe travel and orderly public works, reflecting duty of the state toward people and royal missions.

What is the narrative situation?

As Bharata is to travel, a large team of specialists and overseers is dispatched ahead to prepare the route and necessary facilities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Administrative competence and foresight—planning in advance, assigning qualified personnel, and ensuring accountability through supervisors.