Shloka 2.83.12

अयोध्याकाण्डे त्र्यशीति तमः सर्गः — Bharata’s Departure and Encampment on the Gaṅgā (Śṛṅgīberapura)

Devanagari script

मणिकाराश्च ये केचित्कुम्भकाराश्च शोभनाः।सूत्रकर्मकृतश्चैव ये च शस्त्रोपजीविनः।2.83.12।।मयूरकाः क्राकचिका रोचका वेधकास्तथा।दन्तकारा स्सुधाकारा स्तथा गन्धोपजीविनः।।2.83.13।।सुवर्णकाराः प्रख्यातास्तथा कम्बलधावकाः।स्नापकोष्णोदका वैद्याधूपकाश्शौण्डिकास्तथा।।2.83.14।।रजकास्तुन्नवायाश्च ग्रामघोषमहत्तराः।शैलूषाश्च सह स्त्रीभिर्ययुः कैवर्तकास्तथा।।2.83.15।।

Transliteration

maṇikārāś ca ye kecit kumbhakārāś ca śobhanāḥ | sūtrakarmakṛtaś caiva ye ca śastropajīvinaḥ ||

mayūrakāḥ krākacikā rocakā vedhakās tathā | dantakārāḥ sudhākārāḥ tathā gandhopajīvinaḥ ||

suvarṇakārāḥ prakhyātās tathā kambaladhāvakāḥ | snāpakōṣṇodakā vaidyā dhūpakāḥ śauṇḍikās tathā ||

rajakās tunnavāyāś ca grāmagoṣamahattarāḥ | śailūṣāś ca saha strībhir yayuḥ kaivartakās tathā ||

Translation

Gem-workers and fine potters; weavers and those who lived by the craft of weapons; makers of peacock-feather ornaments, sawyers, makers of trinkets, and perforators; ivory-workers, whitewashers, and sellers of perfumes; renowned goldsmiths, blanket-cleaners, hot-bath attendants, physicians, incense-sellers, and vintners; washermen and tailors, village and hamlet headmen, actors with their womenfolk, and fishermen—all went along, following Bharata.

Context

Gem-polishers, potters, weapon-smiths, weavers, makers of adornments with peacock feathers, sawyers, makers of artificial ornaments, perforators of shells and ornaments, ivory-workers, whitewashers, purveyors of fragrant essences, renowned goldsmiths, blanket-cleaners, hot-bath attendants, physicians, vintners, incense merchants, washermen, tailors, headmen of villages and hamlets, actors along with their wives, fishermen -- all followed Bharata.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Artisans and occupational guilds of Ayodhya (various)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as a shared societal undertaking: every profession and community group participates in supporting the righteous resolution centered on Rama and Bharata’s moral stance.

What is the narrative situation?

A wide cross-section of Ayodhya’s populace—artisans, service providers, leaders, performers, and others—joins the procession accompanying Bharata.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s moral legitimacy and public trust: the breadth of followers implies confidence in his dharmic intent rather than personal ambition.