Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 17
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः
Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
देवकार्यनिमित्तं च तत्रापश्यत्समुद्यतम्।दध्यक्षतं घृतं चैव मोदकान्हविषस्तथा।।।।लाजान्माल्यानि शुक्लानि पायसं कृसरं तथा।समिध: पूर्णकुम्भांश्च ददर्श रघुनन्दनः।।।।
devakāryanimittaṃ ca tatrāpaśyat samudyatam |
dadhyakṣataṃ ghṛtaṃ caiva modakān haviṣas tathā ||
lājān mālyāni śuklāni pāyasaṃ kṛsaraṃ tathā |
samidhaḥ pūrṇakumbhāṃś ca dadarśa raghunandanaḥ ||
Allí Rāma vio dispuestas las preparaciones para los ritos sagrados: cuajada y akṣata (granos auspiciosos), mantequilla clarificada, dulces, ofrendas de havis, grano tostado, guirnaldas blancas, arroz con leche (pāyasa) y kṛsara (arroz con sésamo), así como leña ritual (samidh) y vasijas llenas de agua.
There Rama saw curd, grains of rice, clarified butter, sweetmeats, oblations, parched grain, white garlands, porridge of cooked rice mixed with sesame seeds, sacrirficial faggots, vessels filled with water, etc. kept ready for religious rites.
FAQs
Dharma is shown as disciplined reverence—household life upholds righteousness through orderly worship, offerings, and purity of conduct.
Rāma arrives and observes that items required for worship and sacred observances have already been arranged, indicating an ongoing religious setting in the palace quarters.
Rāma’s attentiveness and respect for dharmic practice—he notices and recognizes the ritual order rather than treating it as mere decoration.