Shloka 2.88.7

रामशय्यादर्शनम् — Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed

Devanagari script

प्रासादाग्रविमानेषु वलभीषु च सर्वदा।हैमराजतभौमेषु वरास्तरणशालिषु।।2.88.5।।पुष्पसञ्चयचित्रेषु चन्दनागरुगन्धिषु।पाण्डुराभ्रप्रकाशेषु शुकसङ्घरूतेषुच।।2.88.6।।प्रासादवरवर्येषु शीतवत्सु सुगन्धिषु।उषित्वामेरुकल्पेषु कृतकाञ्चन भित्तिषु।।2.88.7।।गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्वराभरणनिस्स्वनैः।मृदङ्गवरशब्दैश्च सततं प्रतिबोधितः।।2.88.8।।वन्दिभिर्वन्दितः काले बहुभि स्सूतमागधैः।गाथाभिरनुरूपाभि स्स्तुतिभिश्च परन्तपः।।2.88.9।।

Transliteration

te tathoktāḥ samutthāya tvaritā rājaśāsanāt |

pañca nāvāṃ śatāny āśu samāninyuḥ samantataḥ ||

Translation

Thus instructed, they rose at once; and, acting swiftly under the king’s command, they immediately brought five hundred boats from all directions.

Context

Rama, scorcher of enemies, one who was accostomed to dwell in the attic of sevenstoreyed mansions with floors paved with gold, and silver, spread with excellent carpets, decked with bouquets of flowers and perfumed with sandal and agaru. The peaks of those palaces were bright like towering white clouds and echoed with cries of parrots. They were cool and fragrant with perfumes. The marvellous palaces made of golden walls are comparable to mount Meru. He used to wake up to the sounds of songs and musical instruments, the tinkling of finest ornaments and the splendid sounds of the drums. Many bards, genealogists and panegyrists singing befitting ballads and extolling his virtues at appropriate time used to salute him in reverence (Bharata lamented).

Characters & Entities

• Bharata (as the commanding king in context)
• Boats
• Ganga River (implied by crossing context)
• Guha (implied by the supplied translation context as the Nishada king assisting)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as disciplined obedience and public service: rightful authority, when aligned with a righteous purpose, mobilizes collective effort without delay.

What is the narrative situation?

Arrangements are being made—boats are gathered in large numbers—so Bharata’s party can proceed, likely to cross the river and continue toward Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Readiness to serve and efficiency—people respond promptly to legitimate command in support of a dharmic mission.