Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 80, Shloka 13
मर्गनिर्माणम्
Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata
ससुधाकुट्टिमतलः प्रपुष्पितमहीरुहः।मत्तोद्घुष्ट द्विजगणः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतः।।।।चन्दनोदकसंसिक्तो नानाकुसुमभूषितः।बह्वशोभत सेनायाः पन्था स्सुरपथोपमः।।।।
sasudhākuṭṭimatalaḥ prapuṣpitamahīruhaḥ |
mattodghuṣṭa-dvijagaṇaḥ patākābhir alaṅkṛtaḥ ||
candanodakasaṃsikto nānākusumabhūṣitaḥ |
bahv aśobhata senāyāḥ panthāḥ surapathopamaḥ ||
Jalan raya pasukan tampak amat cemerlang—lantainya dipadatkan dan diplester halus, diapit pepohonan yang sedang berbunga, bergema oleh kicau kawanan burung yang riang; dihiasi panji-panji, diperciki air beraroma cendana, serta dipermuliakan dengan aneka bunga—laksana jalan para dewa.
The highway for the army was paved smooth, with its surface decorated with mosaic. It was lined with blossoming trees with flocks of birds intoxicated with singing. It was decked with banners and sprinkled with sandal water and a strewn with flowers of every kind. Like the path of gods, the highway shone with brilliance.
FAQs
Dharma here appears as respectful hospitality and public order: the route is not merely functional but purified and beautified, reflecting reverence for the traveler and the collective discipline of a well-governed realm.
The road prepared for the moving force is described as carefully paved, decorated, and ritually refreshed with scented water and flowers.
Reverence and refinement—careful attention to cleanliness, beauty, and auspiciousness in public arrangements.