Shloka 2.80.13
मर्गनिर्माणम् (Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata)
ससुधाकुट्टिमतलः प्रपुष्पितमहीरुहः।मत्तोद्घुष्ट द्विजगणः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतः।।।।चन्दनोदकसंसिक्तो नानाकुसुमभूषितः।बह्वशोभत सेनायाः पन्था स्सुरपथोपमः।।।।
sasudhākuṭṭimatalaḥ prapuṣpitamahīruhaḥ |
mattodghuṣṭa-dvijagaṇaḥ patākābhir alaṅkṛtaḥ ||
candanodakasaṃsikto nānākusumabhūṣitaḥ |
bahv aśobhata senāyāḥ panthāḥ surapathopamaḥ ||
The army’s highway shone in splendor—its surface paved and smoothly plastered, lined with trees in bloom, resonant with the joyous cries of flocks of birds; adorned with banners, sprinkled with sandal-scented water, and decked with flowers of many kinds—like a pathway of the gods.
The highway for the army was paved smooth, with its surface decorated with mosaic. It was lined with blossoming trees with flocks of birds intoxicated with singing. It was decked with banners and sprinkled with sandal water and a strewn with flowers of every kind. Like the path of gods, the highway shone with brilliance.
Dharma here appears as respectful hospitality and public order: the route is not merely functional but purified and beautified, reflecting reverence for the traveler and the collective discipline of a well-governed realm.
The road prepared for the moving force is described as carefully paved, decorated, and ritually refreshed with scented water and flowers.
Reverence and refinement—careful attention to cleanliness, beauty, and auspiciousness in public arrangements.