Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 1

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य जनाकुलम्।प्रविविक्तां ततः कक्ष्यामाससाद पुराणवित्।।।।प्रासकार्मुकबिभ्रद्भिर्युवभिर्मृष्टकुण्डलैः।अप्रमादिभिरेकाग्रै स्स्वनुरक्तैरधिष्ठिताम्।।।।

Transliteration

tad antaḥpuradvāraṃ samatītya janākulam |

praviviktāṃ tataḥ kakṣyām āsasāda purāṇavit || 2.16.1 ||

prāsakārmukabibhradbhir yuvabhir mṛṣṭakuṇḍalaiḥ |

apramādibhir ekāgraiḥ svanuraktair adhiṣṭhitām || 2.16.2 ||

Translation

Sumantra, skilled in ancient custom, passed beyond the people-crowded door of the inner apartments and reached a quieter courtyard. It was guarded by devoted young men—alert and focused—bearing spears and bows, their earrings gleaming brightly.

Word by Word

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; demonstrative used adjectivally

• antaḥpura-dvāram: the inner-palace door
• antaḥpura-dvāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antaḥpura + dvāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'door of the inner apartments'

• samatītya: having passed beyond
• samatītya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam + ati + √i (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्): 'having passed'

• janākulam: crowded with people
• janākulam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jana + ākula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; karmadhāraya: 'crowded with people'

• praviviktām: secluded/sparsely occupied
• praviviktām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra + vivikta (कृदन्त; √vic)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; PPP (क्त) used adjectivally qualifying कक्ष्याम्

• tataḥ: then/thereafter
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रम/अनन्तर)

• kakṣyām: courtyard/inner corridor
• kakṣyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kakṣyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• āsasāda: reached/approached
• āsasāda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + √sad (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

• purāṇavit: knower of ancient tradition
• purāṇavit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa + vid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'knower of ancient lore'; stem in -vit (agent noun)

• prāsa-kārmuka-bibhradbhis: by young men carrying spears and bows
• prāsa-kārmuka-bibhradbhis: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāsa + kārmuka + bibhrat (कृदन्त; √bhṛ)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; dvandva: prāsa 'spear' + kārmuka 'bow'; bibhrat = present active participle (शतृ) 'carrying'

• yuvabhiḥ: by young men
• yuvabhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalaiḥ: with shining earrings
• mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛṣṭa + kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; karmadhāraya: 'polished/shining earrings'

• apramādibhiḥ: by vigilant (guards)
• apramādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apramādin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; 'vigilant/without negligence'

• ekāgraiḥ: by attentive (ones)
• ekāgraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ekāgra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; karmadhāraya: 'single-pointed/attentive'

• svanuraktaiḥ: by very devoted (ones)
• svanuraktaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + anurakta (कृदन्त; √rañj)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; avyayībhāva: सु- (well) + अनुरक्त (devoted); PPP (क्त)

• adhiṣṭhitām: guarded
• adhiṣṭhitām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adhi + √sthā (धातु)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; PPP (क्त) qualifying कक्ष्याम्: 'guarded/occupied'

Context

An excellent fan of yak's tail with a staff of gold studded with gems looking like diffused moon-beams was kept ready.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• antaḥpura (inner apartments)
• prāsa (spear)
• kārmuka (bow)

FAQs

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

Dharma is protective order: inner spaces are safeguarded by vigilant, loyal guards, showing that righteousness in governance includes responsibility for security, restraint, and disciplined attention.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra moves deeper into the palace, from a crowded entrance to a quieter guarded courtyard, indicating he is approaching an important private royal space.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vigilance and devotion in service: the guards embody apramāda (alertness) and loyalty, while Sumantra embodies competence grounded in tradition (purāṇavit).