Shloka 26
वालिनः और्ध्वदैहिकम्
Vali’s Funeral Rites and the Consolation of the Bereaved
ईदृशीं शिबिकां दृष्ट्वा रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।क्षिप्रं विनीयतां वाली प्रेतकार्यं विधीयताम्4.25.26।।
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 ||
On apporta une litière merveilleuse, munie d’un siège de bon augure et semblable à un char, sculptée de motifs d’oiseaux et ornée d’ouvrages figurant des arbres. Revêtue de toutes parts de panneaux multicolores, elle ressemblait au vimāna des siddha, pourvue de fenêtres à treillis. Large et solidement assemblée, comme façonnée par Viśvakarmā, elle était embellie de sculptures pareilles à des montagnes de bois et d’un ornement raffiné. Elle resplendissait de joyaux choisis et de colliers, et de guirlandes éclatantes; elle offrait des renfoncements décoratifs tels des grottes et des fourrés, et était ointe de santal rouge.
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.