Valmiki Ramayana 2.80.18-20: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 80, Shlokas 18-20
मर्गनिर्माणम्
Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata
बहुपांसुचयाश्चापि परिखापरिवारिताः ।
तत्रेन्द्रकीलप्रतिमाः प्रतोलीवरशोभिताः ॥१८॥
प्रासादमालावितता स्सौधप्राकारसंवृताः ।
पताकाशोभिता स्सर्वे सुनिर्मितमहापथाः ॥१९॥
विसर्पद्भिरिवाऽकाशे विटङ्काग्रविमानकैः ।
समुच्छ्रितैर्निवेशास्ते बभुश्शक्रपुरोपमाः ॥२०॥
bahupāṃsucayāścāpi parikhāparivāritāḥ |
tatrendrakīlapratimāḥ pratolīvaraśobhitāḥ ||18||
prāsādamālāvitatā ssaudhaprākārasaṃvṛtāḥ |
patākāśobhitā ssarve sunirmitamahāpathāḥ ||19||
visarpadbhirivā'kāśe viṭaṅkāgravimānakaiḥ |
samucchritairniveśāste babhuśśakrapuropamāḥ ||20||
పరిఖలతో చుట్టబడి, ఇసుక రాశులతో నిండి, ఇంద్రకీల పర్వతం వంటి ప్రాసాదాలతో అలంకరించబడి, ప్రాకారాలతో కప్పబడి, పతాకలతో శోభించే సునిర్మిత మహామార్గాలు గల ఆ నివేశాలు, విటంక శిఖరాలతో ఆకాశంలో విసర్పించే విమానాల వలె ఉన్నతంగా ఉదయించి, శక్రపురిని పోలి వెలుగొందెను.
They heaped sand and dug moats around the resting-place. It was adorned with well-built highways and broad thoroughfares, lined with mansions surrounded by walls as high as mount Indrakeela. The peaks of those tall residences decorated with flags which looked as if spreading into the sky. (Thus the resting-place) shone like the abode of Indra.
FAQs
The verse illustrates the dharma of royal service and the proper conduct of a king's journey. The elaborate preparations for Bharata's travel, creating settlements comparable to Indra's celestial city, demonstrate the kingdom's commitment to supporting their leader's mission. This reflects the principle that a righteous cause (Bharata's quest to bring back Rama) deserves full support and that those in service should perform their duties with excellence and devotion.
Bharata is leading a large army and retinue through the forest toward Chitrakoot to find Rama and request his return to Ayodhya. The verse describes how the advance party has prepared elaborate resting places along the route, complete with fortifications, mansions, and all the amenities of a royal city. These temporary settlements are so magnificent they resemble the abode of Indra himself, showcasing the scale and grandeur of Bharata's expedition.
The verse indirectly emphasizes Bharata's virtue of determination and his commitment to dharma. Though not directly mentioned in these verses, the extraordinary preparations reflect the importance of his mission, to restore Rama to the throne. The willingness of the kingdom to construct such elaborate facilities demonstrates the collective recognition of Bharata's righteous purpose and the people's support for his quest to uphold truth and justice.
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