Shloka 2.81.16
एकाशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Grief, Courtly Summons, and the Assembly Hall
ह्रद इव तिमिनागसंवृतः स्तिमितजलो मणिशङ्खशर्करः।दशरथसुतशोभिता सभा सदशरथेव बभौ यथा पुरा।।।।
hrada iva timināga-saṅvṛtaḥ stimitajalo maṇi-śaṅkha-śarkaraḥ |
daśaratha-suta-śobhitā sabhā sa-daśaratheva babhau yathā purā ||
The assembly hall, graced by Daśaratha’s son, shone as it once had—like a lake of still waters, strewn with gems, shells, and pebbles and filled with mighty creatures; it seemed as though Daśaratha himself were present again.
The assembly hall looked splendid like a lake of tranquil waters with gems, shells pebbles, grains of sand and teeming with whales and serpents in the presence of the son of king Dasaratha. It appeared as though Dasaratha himself was present.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkāśītitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the eightyfirst sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Rājadharma is implied: the king’s presence (or the rightful heir’s presence) sustains order and splendor. The hall’s radiance ‘as of old’ signals legitimacy and continuity of righteous governance through Daśaratha’s line.
In the aftermath of Daśaratha’s death and the political crisis, the royal assembly hall is depicted as shining again due to the presence of Daśaratha’s son (Rāma), evoking the earlier era when Daśaratha presided.
Rāma’s legitimacy and dhārmic stature: his mere presence restores dignity and stability, suggesting the virtue of rightful leadership grounded in righteousness.