Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 80, Shloka 14
मर्गनिर्माणम्
Roadworks and the Royal Route Prepared for Bharata
ससुधाकुट्टिमतलः प्रपुष्पितमहीरुहः।मत्तोद्घुष्ट द्विजगणः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतः।।2.80.13।।चन्दनोदकसंसिक्तो नानाकुसुमभूषितः।बह्वशोभत सेनायाः पन्था स्सुरपथोपमः।।2.80.14।।
sasudhākuṭṭimatalaḥ prapuṣpitamahīruhaḥ |
mattodghuṣṭa-dvijagaṇaḥ patākābhir alaṅkṛtaḥ || 2.80.13 ||
candanodakasaṃsikto nānākusumabhūṣitaḥ |
bahv aśobhata senāyāḥ panthāḥ surapathopamaḥ || 2.80.14 ||
军队的大道熠熠生辉：灰泥铺就而平整，花树夹道，群鸟歌鸣；又以旗幡装点，洒以檀香水，遍布各色花朵——宛如天神之路。
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.
FAQs
The verse reinforces dharma as orderly preparation and respectful conduct: public spaces are made safe, pure, and auspicious, reflecting collective responsibility under righteous administration.
A repeated/expanded presentation (as transmitted in this recension) describes the beautified and purified highway prepared for the army’s movement.
Discipline and reverence—doing necessary work with care, beauty, and auspiciousness rather than mere expedience.