Shloka 23

वालिनः और्ध्वदैहिकम्

Vali’s Funeral Rites and the Consolation of the Bereaved

Devanagari script

दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्4.25.22।।आचितां चित्रपत्तीभि स्सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्4.25.23।।सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा।दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्4.25.24।।वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्4.25.25।।पुष्पौघैस्समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम्4.25.26।।

Transliteration

divyāṃ bhadrāsanayutāṃ śibikāṃ syandanopamām | pakṣikarmabhir ācitrāṃ drumakarmavibhūṣitām || 4.25.22 ||

ācitāṃ citrapattībhiḥ suniviṣṭāṃ samantataḥ | vimānam iva siddhānāṃ jālavātāyanānvitām || 4.25.23 ||

suniyuktāṃ viśālāṃ ca sukṛtāṃ viśvakarmaṇā | dāruparvatakopetāṃ cārukarmapariṣkṛtām || 4.25.24 ||

varābharaṇahāraiś ca citramālyopaśobhitām | guhāgahanasañchannāṃ raktacandanabhūṣitām || 4.25.25 ||

Translation

दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्। पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्॥ आचितां चित्रपत्तीभिः सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः। विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्॥ सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा। दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्॥ वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्। गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्॥

Word by Word

ईदृशीम्such

शिबिकाम्palanquin

दृष्ट्वाhaving seen

रामःRama

लक्ष्मणम्to Lakshmana

अब्रवीत्said

क्षिप्रम्quickly

विनीयताम्let (him) be carried away

वालीVali

प्रेतकार्यम्funeral rites

विधीयताम्let it be performed

Context

A swift-moving, marvellous palanquin designed by Viswakarma was brought. Covered with colourful pictures of birds and trees on every side it looking like an aerial chariot fit for saints. Fitted with a splendid seat grilled windows, artificially made small caverns and grottos of wood was embellished with carvings of mountains, choice ornaments and garlands. With red sandal paste, red scented flowers and red lotus garlands, it resembled the rising Sun.

Characters & Entities

Śibikā (palanquin)

Viśvakarmā

Siddhas (as comparison)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma includes honoring the dead with dignity: the careful, beautiful preparation of the palanquin reflects respect for proper rites (antyeṣṭi) and social order.

What is the narrative situation?

A richly crafted palanquin is brought out as part of the preparations to carry Vāli’s body for the final rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and propriety (maryādā): the community ensures that even amid conflict, funeral duties are performed with honor.