Shloka 14

मर्गनिर्माणम्

Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata

Devanagari script

ससुधाकुट्टिमतलः प्रपुष्पितमहीरुहः।मत्तोद्घुष्ट द्विजगणः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतः।।2.80.13।।चन्दनोदकसंसिक्तो नानाकुसुमभूषितः।बह्वशोभत सेनायाः पन्था स्सुरपथोपमः।।2.80.14।।

Transliteration

sasudhākuṭṭimatalaḥ prapuṣpitamahīruhaḥ |

mattodghuṣṭa-dvijagaṇaḥ patākābhir alaṅkṛtaḥ || 2.80.13 ||

candanodakasaṃsikto nānākusumabhūṣitaḥ |

bahv aśobhata senāyāḥ panthāḥ surapathopamaḥ || 2.80.14 ||

Translation

لشکر کی شاہراہ نہایت درخشاں تھی—گچ اور چونے سے پختہ و ہموار، پھولوں سے بھرے درختوں کے درمیان، پرندوں کے سرمست نغموں سے گونجتی؛ جھنڈیوں سے مزین، چندن کے پانی سے چھڑکی ہوئی اور بے شمار قسم کے پھولوں سے آراستہ—گویا دیوتاؤں کی سڑک ہو۔

Word by Word

चन्दन-उदक-संसिक्तःsprinkled with sandal-water

नाना-कुसुम-भूषितःadorned with various flowers

बहुgreatly, very much

अशोभतshone, looked splendid

सेनायाःof the army

पन्थाःthe road, highway

सुर-पथ-उपमःlike the path of the gods

Context

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.

Characters & Entities

senā (army)

patākā (banners)

candana (sandal)

FAQs

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

The verse reinforces dharma as orderly preparation and respectful conduct: public spaces are made safe, pure, and auspicious, reflecting collective responsibility under righteous administration.

What is the narrative situation?

A repeated/expanded presentation (as transmitted in this recension) describes the beautified and purified highway prepared for the army’s movement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discipline and reverence—doing necessary work with care, beauty, and auspiciousness rather than mere expedience.