Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 38
अभिषेकसज्जा तथा सुमन्त्रस्य प्रेषणम्
Coronation Preparations and Sumantra’s Commission
महाकवाटविहितं वितर्दिशतशोभितम्।।2.15.32।।काञ्चनप्रतिमैकाग्रं मणिविद्रुमतोरणम्। शारदाभ्रघनप्रख्यं दीप्तं मेरुगुहोपमम्।।2.15.33।।मणिभिर्वरमाल्यानां समुहद्भिरलंकृतम्।मुक्तामणिभिराकीर्णं चन्दनागरूधूपितम्।।2.15.34।।गन्धान्मनोज्ञान् विसृजद्दार्दुरं शिखरं यथा।सारसैश्च मयूरैश्च विनदद्भिर्विराजितम्।।2.15.35।।सुकृतेहामृगाकीर्णं सुकीर्णं भक्तिभिस्तथा।मनश्चक्षुश्च भूतानामाददत्तिग्मतेजसा।।2.15.36।।चन्द्रभास्करसङ्काशं कुबेरभवनोपमम्।महेन्द्रधामप्रतिमं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम्।।2.15.37।।मेरुशृङ्गसमं सूतो रामवेश्म ददर्श ह।उपस्थितैःसमाकीर्णं जनैरञ्जलिकारिभिः।।2.15.38।।उपादाय समाक्रान्तैस्तथा जानपदैर्जनैः।रामाभिषेकसुमुखैरुन्मुखैस्समलंकृतम्।।2.15.39।।महामेघसमप्रख्यमुदग्रं सुविभूषितम्।नानारत्नसमाकीर्णं कुब्जकैरातकावृतम्।।2.15.40।।
mahākavāṭavihitaṃ vitardiśataśobhitam || 2.15.32 ||
kāñcanapratimaikāgraṃ maṇividrumatōraṇam |
śāradābhraghanaprakhyaṃ dīptaṃ mēruguhōpamam || 2.15.33 ||
maṇibhir varamālyānāṃ samūhadbhir alaṅkṛtam |
muktāmaṇibhir ākīrṇaṃ candanāgarudhūpitam || 2.15.34 ||
gandhān manojñān visṛjad dārduraṃ śikharaṃ yathā |
sārasaiś ca mayūraiś ca vinadadbhir virājitam || 2.15.35 ||
sukṛtēhāmṛgākīrṇaṃ sukīrṇaṃ bhaktibhis tathā |
manaś cakṣuś ca bhūtānām ādadat tigma-tejasā || 2.15.36 ||
candrabhāskarasaṅkāśaṃ kubērabhavanōpamam |
mahēndradhāmapratimaṃ nānāpakṣisamākulam || 2.15.37 ||
mēruśṛṅgasamaṃ sūto rāmavēśma dadarśa ha |
upasthitaiḥ samākīrṇaṃ janair añjalikāribhiḥ || 2.15.38 ||
upādāya samākrāntais tathā jānapadair janaiḥ |
rāmābhiṣēkasumukhair unmukhaiḥ samalaṅkṛtam || 2.15.39 ||
mahāmēghasamaprakhyam udagraṃ suvibhūṣitam |
nānāratnasamākīrṇaṃ kubjakairātakāvṛtam || 2.15.40 ||
Sumantra memandang istana Rāma: kokoh dengan pintu gerbang ganda yang besar dan dihiasi ratusan serambi; dimahkotai arca-arca emas serta lengkungan gerbang dari permata dan karang merah. Terang laksana awan musim gugur yang tebal, berkilau bagaikan gua di Gunung Meru. Ia dihias untaian bunga terbaik dan permata; bertabur mutiara; harum oleh cendana dan gaharu, menebarkan wangi yang memikat hati seperti puncak Dārdura. Semarak oleh suara sārasā dan merak, penuh ukiran halus dan perhiasan megah, sehingga dengan sinar tajamnya ia menawan mata dan batin semua makhluk. Gemilang seperti bulan dan matahari, laksana kediaman Kubera dan sebanding dengan istana Mahendra, ramai oleh burung-burung aneka jenis. Menjulang seperti puncak Meru, ia dipadati orang-orang yang datang dengan tangan terkatup, juga penduduk desa yang membawa persembahan—wajah terangkat menanti abhiṣeka suci Rāma. Tinggi dan elok seperti awan besar, kaya hiasan dan penuh ratna, serta juga sesak oleh kaum bungkuk dan para Kirāta (pemburu).
The charioteer (Sumantra) beheld Rama's palace closed with two heavy-panelled doors. Adorned with hundreds of galleries, it had a peak mounted with golden idols. The arches were studded with different gems and corals. Bright like dense autumnal cloud, it shone like the cave of mount Meru. It was ornamented with excellent garlands and precious diamonds. Pearls were strewn around. Decorated with sandal and aloe wood, it emitted, like the peak of mount Dardura, captivating fragrance৷৷ Sarasas and peacocks were singing sweetly. The palace was full of skilfully carved images of deer and other embellishments. It attracted the minds and the eyes of all living beings with brilliant splendour. Resplendent like the Sun and the Moon, it looked like the abode of Kubera and a reflected image of the abode of Mahendra. It was crowded with birds of various kinds. In height it was equal to the peak of mount Meru. Villagers thronged the palace with gifts, eagerly waiting with folded hands to see the spectacle of Rama's coronation. Lofty, it looked like a vast cloud. Well-decked and filled with various gems, it was crowded with hunchbacks and kiratas (hunters) too.
FAQs
The palace imagery supports the Ramayana’s dharmic ideal of kingship: prosperity, beauty, and public order are presented as the outward signs of a righteous succession, welcomed by the people in a spirit of reverence and social harmony.
Sumantra arrives at Rāma’s residence and observes its grandeur and the crowds gathered with offerings and folded hands, anticipating the coronation.
Lokānurāga (public goodwill) toward a dharmic ruler, and śraddhā (reverent anticipation) shown by the assembled people awaiting Rāma’s abhiṣeka.