Shloka 2.80.15

मर्गनिर्माणम् (Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata)

Devanagari script

आज्ञाप्याथ यथाऽज्ञप्ति युक्तास्तेऽधिकृता नराः।रमणीयेषु देशेषु बहुस्वादुफलेषु च।।।।यो निवेशस्त्वभिप्रेतो भरतस्य महात्मनः।भूयस्तं शोभयामासुर्भूषाभिर्भूषणोपमम्।।।।

Transliteration

ājñāpyātha yathājñapti yuktās te 'dhikṛtā narāḥ |

ramaṇīyeṣu deśeṣu bahusvāduphaleṣu ca ||

yo niveśas tv abhipreto bharatasya mahātmanaḥ |

bhūyas taṃ śobhayāmāsur bhūṣābhir bhūṣaṇopamam ||

Translation

Then the appointed officers, acting exactly as instructed, chose delightful places rich in sweet fruits as the great-souled Bharata’s resting-stations, and adorned them again and again with decorations, so that the camps themselves looked like ornaments.

Context

Those authorised ordered the artisans to perform their respective tasks. Thereafter, they selected lovely tracts of land filled with trees bearing varieties of sweet fruits as resting-place for great Bharata and decorated them so splendidly, that they looked like ornaments themseleves.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• adhikṛta (appointed officials)
• niveśa (resting-camp)

FAQs

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

Dharma as faithful execution of entrusted duty: officials follow instructions and create safe, pleasant rest-stations, showing that service and stewardship are moral responsibilities, not mere logistics.

What is the narrative situation?

Officials prepare and beautify Bharata’s intended halting places along the journey, selecting fertile and pleasant locations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reliability and devotion to duty—doing assigned work carefully, in full accordance with orders, and with attention to well-being.