Shloka 2.99.22

चित्रकूटप्राप्तिः — Bharata Reaches Chitrakuta and Beholds Rama

Devanagari script

एवं संविलपं स्तस्मिन्वने दशरथात्मजः।ददर्श महातीं पुण्यां पर्णशालां मनोरमाम्।।2.99.18।।सालतालाश्वकर्णानां पर्णैर्बहुभिरावृताम्।विशालां मृदुभिस्तीर्णां कुशैर्वेदिमिवाध्वरे।।2.99.19।।शक्रायुधनिकाशैश्च कार्मुकैर्भारसाधनैः।रुक्मपृष्ठैर्महासारै श्शोभितां शत्रुबाधकैः।।2.99.20।।अर्क रश्मि प्रतीकाशैर्घोरैस्तूणीगतैश्शरैः।शोभितां दीप्तवदनै स्सर्पैर्भोगवतीमिव।।2.99.21।।महारजतवासोभ्यामसिभ्यां च विराजिताम्।रुक्मबिन्दुविचित्राभ्यां चर्मभ्यां चापि शोभिताम्।।2.99.22।।गोधाङ्गुळित्रैरासक्तैश्चित्रैः काञ्चनभूषितैः।अरिसंघैरनाधृष्यां मृगै स्सिंहगुहा मिव।।2.99.23।।

Transliteration

mahā-rajata-vāsobhyām asibhyāṃ ca virājitām |

rukma-bindu-vicitrābhyāṃ carmabhyāṃ cāpi śobhitām || 2.99.22 ||

Translation

It shone with a pair of swords in splendid silver scabbards, and was further adorned with two shields, variegated with golden spots.

Context

Lamenting in this way Bharata beheld in that forest an excellent, sacred and enchanting hut covered with a lot of leaves of sala, palmyra and aswakarna trees like a sacrificial altar spread with soft kusa grass. Goldplated bows that resembled the thunderbolt of Indra, powerful and capable of achieving great targets and oppressing the enemies, adorned the hut. Arrows glittering like the rays of the Sun, were dreadful, with blazing heads and stored in quivers adorned it like the hooded serpents illumining the city of Bhogavati (in the nether world). A pair of swords in scabbards made of excellent silver, two shields of different colours with golden spots, fingerguards made of skin of iguana decorated with gold were hanging there. It was impregnable to enemy hordes like the cave of a lion to the deer.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Rama
• swords (asi)
• silver scabbards (rajata-vāsaḥ)
• shields (carma)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the harmony of renunciation and responsibility: even while living simply, Rama maintains the instruments of protection required by kṣatriya-dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

As Bharata approaches the hermitage area, he observes the hut’s equipment—swords and shields—indicating disciplined defense in the wilderness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible guardianship: preparedness without aggression, suggesting restraint and duty-bound strength.