Shloka 2.88.9
रामशय्यादर्शनम् — Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed
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।।
vandibhir vanditaḥ kāle bahubhiḥ sūtamāgadhaiḥ |
gāthābhir anurūpābhiḥ stutibhiś ca parantapaḥ || 2.88.9 ||
At the appointed hour, Rāma—scorcher of enemies—was honored by many panegyrists, bards, and court-chronicle singers, who praised him with fitting ballads and hymns of eulogy.
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).
The verse recalls Rāma’s rightful royal honor—publicly affirmed by bards at the proper time—highlighting the dharmic order that should have supported his kingship, and thereby intensifying the ethical contrast with his exile.
The ‘anurūpā’ (befitting) hymns imply praise grounded in real virtues rather than flattery; the court’s truthful recognition of Rāma’s merit underscores Satya as the basis for legitimate honor.