Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 27, Shloka 8

सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः

Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

प्रासादाग्रैर्विमानैर्वा वैहायसगतेन वा।सर्वावस्थागता भर्तुः पादच्छाया विशिष्यते।।।।

Transliteration

prāsādāgrair vimānair vā vaihāyasagatena vā | sarvāvasthāgatā bhartuḥ pādacchāyā viśiṣyate ||

Translation

Whether atop palace-roofs, in splendid mansions, or even moving through the sky, in every condition the shelter of a husband’s feet is held to be the highest.

Word by Word

• प्रासादाग्रैः: by/with palace-tops
• प्रासादाग्रैः: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsāda (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रासादस्य अग्रं); नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोग; तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन

• विमानैः: by aerial cars/palaces
• विमानैः: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vimāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया, बहुवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• वैहायसगतेन: by going through the sky
• वैहायसगतेन: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaihāyasa (प्रातिपदिक) + gata (√gam + kta)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वैहायसे गतः/गमनम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय

• सर्वावस्थागता: present in every condition
• सर्वावस्थागता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + avasthā (प्रातिपदिक) + gata (√gam + kta)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सर्वासु अवस्थासु गता); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying पादच्छाया)

• भर्तुः: of the husband
• भर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (6th case), एकवचन

• पादच्छाया: shade/shelter at the feet
• पादच्छाया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक) + chāyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (पादस्य छाया); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विशिष्यते: is superior
• विशिष्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√śiṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘excels/is preferable’

Context

Every woman, everywhere be it on the top of mansions or in lovely palaces or flying in the sky should take shelter at his (her husband's) feet (or follow his footsteps).

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• prāsāda (palace)
• vimāna

FAQs

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

The verse prioritizes dharma over luxury: true security is defined not by wealth or status but by rightful relational duty—standing with one’s spouse in all circumstances.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā contrasts royal comforts with the superior value of accompanying Rāma, arguing that her proper refuge is with him, not in palatial ease.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Detachment from comfort and unwavering commitment to marital duty.