Shloka 2.80.14
मर्गनिर्माणम् (Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata)
ससुधाकुट्टिमतलः प्रपुष्पितमहीरुहः।मत्तोद्घुष्ट द्विजगणः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतः।।2.80.13।।चन्दनोदकसंसिक्तो नानाकुसुमभूषितः।बह्वशोभत सेनायाः पन्था स्सुरपथोपमः।।2.80.14।।
sasudhākuṭṭimatalaḥ prapuṣpitamahīruhaḥ |
mattodghuṣṭa-dvijagaṇaḥ patākābhir alaṅkṛtaḥ || 2.80.13 ||
candanodakasaṃsikto nānākusumabhūṣitaḥ |
bahv aśobhata senāyāḥ panthāḥ surapathopamaḥ || 2.80.14 ||
The army’s highway shone splendidly—paved and plaster-finished, lined with flowering trees, vibrant with singing birds, adorned with banners; sprinkled with sandal-water and strewn with many kinds of flowers—like a road 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.
The verse reinforces dharma as orderly preparation and respectful conduct: public spaces are made safe, pure, and auspicious, reflecting collective responsibility under righteous administration.
A repeated/expanded presentation (as transmitted in this recension) describes the beautified and purified highway prepared for the army’s movement.
Discipline and reverence—doing necessary work with care, beauty, and auspiciousness rather than mere expedience.