Valmiki Ramayana 2.91.13: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 13
भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage
Setting: Hermitage setting; invocation extends to cosmic directions/worldsHalt for hospitality
आह्वये लोकपालांस्त्रीन् देवान् शक्रमुखांस्तथा ।
आतिथ्यं कर्तुमिच्छामि तत्र मे संविधीयताम् ॥१३॥
āhvaye lokapālāṃs trīn devān śakra-mukhāṃs tathā |
ātithyaṃ kartum icchāmi tatra me saṃvidhīyatām ||13||
“Aku memanggil tiga Penjaga Alam, serta para dewa yang diketuai Śakra (Indra). Aku ingin mengadakan hospitaliti—maka aturkanlah semuanya sebagaimana patut.”
Sandhi Notes
- लोकपालान्+त्रीन् → लोकपालांस्त्रीन्
- शक्रमुखान्+तथा → शक्रमुखांस्तथा
- कर्तुम्+इच्छामि → कर्तुमिच्छामि
I invoke the three deities, guardians of the four quarters headed by Indra to extend hospitality (to Bharata). Let them make adequate arrangements in this regard.
The teaching
Dharma of hospitality is not merely private virtue; it is upheld by cosmic guardians when performed with right intention and reverence.
- Ethical theme
- Rāja-dharma aligned with ātithya (public virtue expressed as sacred duty)
Devotion and practice
Invokes protective and ordering forces before communal service; can be used as a contemplative reminder of direction-guardianship and responsibility.
- Deity praised
- Śakra (Indra) and the lokapālas/devas
- Form of praise
- Vandana (salutation)
- Mantra
- आह्वये लोकपालांस्त्रीन् देवान् शक्रमुखांस्तथा
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Expansive, majestic, auspicious
Themes
- Dharma
- Atithi-dharma
- Divine order
- Itihasa
Macrocosm–microcosm alignment: a single dharmic act (ātithya) is supported by the guardians of the worlds when aligned with order.
Idea of ‘lokas’ and their governance; the rite’s reach beyond the local into the cosmic hierarchy echoes Upaniṣadic cosmology of worlds and their sustainers.
- Bharata and Minor Deities / Celestial Groups
- Invocation of cosmic guardians for support (supplicatory)
- Bharata and Indra
- Invocation of king of devas as chief among invoked guardians (reverent)
- Bharata and Devas
- Appeal to divine assembly to enable hospitality (supplicatory)
Vedic invocations to Indra as leader of devas (general allusion); Purāṇic lokapāla lists and directional guardians (general parallel)
Vedic-style calling of deva-gaṇa for successful rite and abundance
Ayodhyākāṇḍa 2.91: escalating invocations culminating in nature’s participation (rivers/streams)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Commanding
Bright, elevated register on ‘lokapālāṃs trīn’ and ‘śakramukhān’; steady close on ‘saṃvidhīyatām’
FAQs
Dharma is supported by cosmic order: the sage aligns his hospitality with the guardians of directions, implying that righteous action harmonizes with the universe.
Continuing the preparations, Bharadvāja calls upon the Lokapālas to assist in hosting Bharata.
Responsibility and thoroughness—Bharadvāja leaves nothing incomplete in honoring the guest.
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