Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 9
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्
Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King
तं वैश्रवणसङ्काशमुपविष्टं स्वलङ्कृतम्।ददर्श सूतः पर्य्यङ्के सौवर्णे सोत्तरच्छदे।।2.16.8।।वराहरुधिराभेण शुचिना च सुगन्धिना।अनुलिप्तं परार्ध्येन चन्दनेन परन्तपम्।।2.16.9।।स्थितया पार्श्वतश्चापि वालव्यजनहस्तया।उपेतं सीतयाभूयश्चित्रया शशिनं यथा।।2.16.10।।
taṃ vaiśravaṇasaṅkāśam upaviṣṭaṃ svalaṅkṛtam | dadarśa sūtaḥ paryaṅke sauvarṇe sottaracchade ||
varāharudhirābheṇa śucinā ca sugandhinā | anuliptaṃ parārdhyena candanena parantapam ||
sthitayā pārśvataś cāpi vālavyajanahastayā | upetaṃ sītayā bhūyaś citrayā śaśinaṃ yathā ||
Sumantra saw Rama, radiant like Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), seated and splendidly adorned upon a golden couch with a fine coverlet. The foe-subduer was anointed with exquisite, pure, fragrant sandalpaste of a deep reddish hue. And with Sita standing beside him, holding a yak-tail fan, he looked like the moon accompanied by the star Citrā.
Always dedicated to the wellbeing of their master, they approached Rama who was in the company of Sita. And informed him:
FAQs
Dharma is expressed as rājadharma and maryādā: outer splendor is aligned with inner worth—Rama’s disciplined, righteous character is portrayed as naturally worthy of royal honor.
Sumantra enters and beholds Rama seated in royal elegance with Sita attending him, underscoring the auspicious setting before the public movement toward kingship-related events.
Śrī (dignified radiance) joined with self-mastery—Rama’s majesty is presented as the visible sign of his fitness for responsibility.