Valmiki Ramayana 2.80.8: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 80, Shloka 8
मर्गनिर्माणम्
Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata
Setting: Ayodhyā environs / prepared routes and groundsPlaces named: AyodhyāRoute/ground leveling for movement and assembly
अपरे वीरणस्तम्भान्बलिनो बलवत्तराः ।
विधमन्ति स्म दुर्गाणि स्थलानि च ततस्ततः ॥८॥
apare vīraṇastambhān balino balavattarāḥ |
vidhamanti sma durgāṇi sthalāni ca tatas tataḥ ||8||
और भी टगड़े आदमी थे जो बहुत ताकतवर थे। उन्होंने वीरना घास के वो पक्के टुकड़े उखाड़ दिए। और जहां-जहां ज़मीन अनइवन थी, उसे सीधा कर दिया।
Sandhi Notes
- वीरणस्तम्भान्बलिनो → वीरणस्तम्भान् बलिनः (न् + ब → न्ब in recitation)
Some other stronger men, plucked the strong-rooted tufts of fragrant grass. Here and there they made impassable terrains even.
The teaching
Strength is dharmic when directed to remove hardship for the community and to make the path safe for all.
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / public welfare
For your practice
Tapas in action: disciplined exertion to clear inner and outer obstacles.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)
- Mood
- Vigorous, unyielding, can-do
Themes
- Dharma
- Maryada
- Itihasa
- Ethics
Uprooting vāsanā-like clumps: obstacles are not merely trimmed but removed at the root to allow a level field for right action.
Kaṭha’s imagery of the path: the ‘way’ becomes traversable when impediments are mastered by steadiness (dhīra).
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.80.7, 2.80.9 (same sequence of preparations)
Mahābhārata Śānti/Anuśāsana themes of public works and welfare (general parallel)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa preparations for Bharata’s courtly/royal functions
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Narrative
Slightly elevated udātta on ‘balino balavattarāḥ’ for emphasis
FAQs
Dharma is expressed as service through effort: removing obstacles and making difficult terrain accessible, reflecting concern for the safety and ease of others.
Stronger workers clear stubborn vegetation and even out hazardous or obstructed ground as part of broader preparations.
Strength directed toward constructive ends—using power to protect and assist the community rather than to dominate.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
