Shloka 2.80.18

मर्गनिर्माणम् (Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata)

Devanagari script

बहुपांसुचयाश्चापि परिखापरिवारिताः।तत्रेन्द्रकीलप्रतिमाः प्रतोलीवरशोभिताः।।।।प्रासादमालावितता स्सौधप्राकारसंवृताः।पताकाशोभिता स्सर्वे सुनिर्मितमहापथाः।।।।विसर्पद्भिरिवाऽकाशे विटङ्काग्रविमानकैः।समुच्छ्रितैर्निवेशास्ते बभुश्शक्रपुरोपमाः।।।।

Transliteration

karmāntikāḥ sthapatayaḥ puruṣā yantrakovidāḥ | tathā vārdhakayaś caiva mārgiṇo vṛkṣatakṣakāḥ ||

Translation

Then skilled workmen—architects and experts in devices—along with carpenters, road-builders, and wood-cutters, were dispatched to go ahead and prepare the way.

Context

They heaped sand and dug moats around the resting-place. It was adorned with well-built highways and broad thoroughfares, lined with mansions surrounded by walls as high as mount Indrakeela. The peaks of those tall residences decorated with flags which looked as if spreading into the sky. (Thus the resting-place) shone like the abode of Indra.

FAQs

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

Rajadharma expressed as competent public administration: the king’s duty includes organizing skilled labor to ensure safe, orderly travel and welfare-oriented infrastructure.

What is the narrative situation?

As the royal movement is being arranged, specialized workers are sent ahead to prepare and manage the route.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Administrative foresight and orderly governance—planning with qualified experts rather than improvisation.