valmikiramayan.net Prose Commentary

Desiraju Hanumanta Rao's prose rendering with embedded explanatory notes

The source offers a double reading of caturanga balam, 'fourfold force': the standard sense is the military quadruple army of horses, elephants, chariots, and foot soldiers, though some hold that a full army is mustered only for combat, not for a wedding journey, and here only 'as much as required' would travel. Alternatively, the same phrase can denote the quadruple wedding opulence -- dhana, kanaka, vastu, vaahana sampatti, 'riches, gold, equipage, and vehicles' -- since ostentatious display is the norm at Indian weddings, rich or poor. It cites R. C. Dutt's poetic translation for this sense: 'Ride in front with royal riches, gold and gems in bright array.'