Shloka 2.81.2
एकाशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Grief, Courtly Summons, and the Assembly Hall
सुवर्णकोणाभिहतः प्राणदद्यामदुन्दुभिः।दध्मुश्शङ्खांश्च शतशो नादांश्चोच्चावचस्वरान्।।।।
suvarṇa-koṇābhihataḥ prāṇadad yāma-dundubhiḥ |
dadhmuḥ śaṅkhāṃś ca śataśo nādāṃś coccāvaca-svarān ||
The night-watch drums, struck with golden-tipped beaters, resounded; and conches by the hundreds were blown, sending forth calls in many rising and falling tones.
The drums of the night watch were beaten by golden sticks. Conches in hundreds were blown and sounds of various modulations were created.
Dharma here appears as social order: timekeeping, guards, and ceremonial signals uphold a disciplined kingdom—even when the royal household is in crisis.
Courtly instruments are sounded in the palace context, as if for royal routine/announcement, setting the stage for Bharata’s awakening amid mourning.
Collective civic duty: the attendants and guards perform their assigned roles, reflecting steadiness and adherence to established norms.