Valmiki Ramayana 2.91.29: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 29

भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage

A miraculously prepared encampment/region described as extending five yojanas

Devanagari script

बभूव हि समा भूमिस्समन्तात्पञ्चयोजना ।

शाद्वलैर्भहुभिश्चन्ना नीलवैढूर्यसन्निभैः ॥२९॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.91.29

Transliteration

babhūva hi samā bhūmiḥ samantāt pañcayojanā |

śādvalair bahubhiś channā nīlavaiḍūryasannibhaiḥ ||29||

Translation

بے شک زمین ہر سمت پانچ یوجن تک ہموار ہو گئی، اور بے شمار سبزہ زاروں سے ڈھکی تھی، جو نیلے ویدوریہ کے جواہرات کی مانند دمک رہے تھے۔

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• बभूव: became
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• हि: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (particle: indeed/for)
• Role: Nipāta (निपात)

• समा: level, even
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; predicate adjective of भूमिः
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• भूमिः: ground, earth
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; subject
• Role: Kartā (कर्ता)

• समन्तात्: on every side
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (on all sides)
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• पञ्चयोजना: five-yojana (in extent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (प्रातिपदिक) + योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: द्विगु (‘पञ्च योजनानि’); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; measure-qualifier of भूमिः (extent)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Dvigu

• शाद्वलैः: with lawns/grass-plots
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाद्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; instrumental
• Role: Karaṇa (करण)

• बहुभिः: with many
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; qualifies शाद्वलैः
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• छन्ना: covered
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छद् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; predicate adjective of भूमिः
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• नीलवैढूर्यसन्निभैः: resembling blue beryl (cat’s-eye)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + वैढूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (‘नीलवैढूर्येण सन्निभ’ = resembling blue beryl/cat’s-eye); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; qualifies शाद्वलैः
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

Sandhi Notes

• भूमिस्समन्तात् = भूमिः + समन्तात् (visarga sandhi)
• शाद्वलैर्भहुभिः = शाद्वलैः + बहुभिः
• बहुभिश्चन्ना = बहुभिः + छन्ना

Context

The ground was levelled on every side for five yojanas and covered with several grass lawns resembling lapis lazuli (blue sapphire) and cat's eye.

The teaching

When dharma is upheld, the path is mysteriously made smooth; obstacles can be leveled by unseen support.

Ethical theme

Daiva-anugraha / dharma-phala

For your practice

Cultivates gratitude and śraddhā in providence; suitable for contemplation on grace amid hardship.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Marveling, serene, luminous

Themes

• Itihasa
• Dharma
• Order
• Auspicious setting
• Hospitality

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

FAQs

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

Dharma is reflected as orderly preparation for guests and community—creating a safe, harmonious environment for all who arrive.

What is the narrative situation?

The miraculous landscape transformation is described as part of the preparations made for Bharata’s forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective discipline and reverence in hosting (implied through meticulous, expansive arrangement).