Shloka 24
वालिनः और्ध्वदैहिकम्
Vali’s Funeral Rites and the Consolation of the Bereaved
दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्4.25.22।।आचितां चित्रपत्तीभि स्सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्4.25.23।।सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा।दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्4.25.24।।वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्4.25.25।।पुष्पौघैस्समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम्4.25.26।।
divyāṃ bhadrāsanayutāṃ śibikāṃ syandanopamām | pakṣikarmabhir ācitrāṃ drumakarmavibhūṣitām || 4.25.22 ||
ācitāṃ citrapattībhiḥ suniviṣṭāṃ samantataḥ | vimānam iva siddhānāṃ jālavātāyanānvitām || 4.25.23 ||
suniyuktāṃ viśālāṃ ca sukṛtāṃ viśvakarmaṇā | dāruparvatakopetāṃ cārukarmapariṣkṛtām || 4.25.24 ||
varābharaṇahāraiś ca citramālyopaśobhitām | guhāgahanasañchannāṃ raktacandanabhūṣitām || 4.25.25 ||
A wondrous palanquin was brought—furnished with an auspicious seat and comparable to a chariot—carved with bird motifs and adorned with designs of trees. Covered all around with colorful panels, it resembled the vimāna of the siddhas, fitted with latticed windows. Broad and well-joined, as though crafted by Viśvakarmā, it was embellished with carvings like wooden mountains and refined ornamentation. It shone with choice jewelry and necklaces and splendid garlands, with grotto-like decorative recesses and thickets, and was anointed with red sandalwood.
A swift-moving, marvellous palanquin designed by Viswakarma was brought. Covered with colourful pictures of birds and trees on every side it looking like an aerial chariot fit for saints. Fitted with a splendid seat grilled windows, artificially made small caverns and grottos of wood was embellished with carvings of mountains, choice ornaments and garlands. With red sandal paste, red scented flowers and red lotus garlands, it resembled the rising Sun.
FAQs
Dharma includes honoring the dead with dignity: the careful, beautiful preparation of the palanquin reflects respect for proper rites (antyeṣṭi) and social order.
A richly crafted palanquin is brought out as part of the preparations to carry Vāli’s body for the final rites.
Reverence and propriety (maryādā): the community ensures that even amid conflict, funeral duties are performed with honor.