Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 81, Shloka 16
एकाशीति तमः सर्गः
Bharata’s Grief, Courtly Summons, and the Assembly Hall
ह्रद इव तिमिनागसंवृतः स्तिमितजलो मणिशङ्खशर्करः।दशरथसुतशोभिता सभा सदशरथेव बभौ यथा पुरा।।।।
hrada iva timināga-saṅvṛtaḥ stimitajalo maṇi-śaṅkha-śarkaraḥ |
daśaratha-suta-śobhitā sabhā sa-daśaratheva babhau yathā purā ||
O salão da assembleia, ornado pelo filho de Daśaratha, brilhou como outrora: qual lago de águas imóveis, salpicado de gemas, conchas e seixos, e habitado por grandes criaturas; parecia como se o próprio Daśaratha ali estivesse novamente.
The assembly hall looked splendid like a lake of tranquil waters with gems, shells pebbles, grains of sand and teeming with whales and serpents in the presence of the son of king Dasaratha. It appeared as though Dasaratha himself was present.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkāśītitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the eightyfirst sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Rājadharma is implied: the king’s presence (or the rightful heir’s presence) sustains order and splendor. The hall’s radiance ‘as of old’ signals legitimacy and continuity of righteous governance through Daśaratha’s line.
In the aftermath of Daśaratha’s death and the political crisis, the royal assembly hall is depicted as shining again due to the presence of Daśaratha’s son (Rāma), evoking the earlier era when Daśaratha presided.
Rāma’s legitimacy and dhārmic stature: his mere presence restores dignity and stability, suggesting the virtue of rightful leadership grounded in righteousness.