Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 19

अयोध्यायाः शोकवर्णनम्

Ayodhya’s Lament and Civic Desolation

Devanagari script

युष्माकं राघवोऽरण्ये योगक्षेमं विधास्यति।सीता नारीजनस्यास्य योगक्षेमं करिष्यति।।2.48.19।।

Transliteration

yuṣmākaṁ rāghavo ’raṇye yogakṣemaṁ vidhāsyati |

sītā nārījanasyāsya yogakṣemaṁ kariṣyati || 2.48.19 ||

Translation

In the forest, Rāghava (Rāma) will provide for your welfare and safety; and Sītā will likewise ensure the security and well-being of the womenfolk.

Word by Word

• yuṣmākam: of you (pl.) / your
• yuṣmākam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/षष्ठी), Bahuvacana

• rāghavaḥ: Rāghava (Rama)
• rāghavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• araṇye: in the forest
• araṇye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: araṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Saptamī (Locative/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• yoga-kṣemam: acquisition and protection (welfare)
• yoga-kṣemam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣema (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva samāsa (द्वन्द्व) (itaretara) = yogaś ca kṣemaś ca; Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• vidhāsyati: will arrange / will provide
• vidhāsyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + dhā (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ (Simple Future/लृट्), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• sītā: Sita
• sītā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• nārī-janasya: of the womenfolk
• nārī-janasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक) + jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) = nārīṇāṃ janaḥ; Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• asya: of these / of this
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• yoga-kṣemam: welfare (acquisition & security)
• yoga-kṣemam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣema (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva samāsa, Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• kariṣyati: will do / will ensure
• kariṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ (Simple Future/लृट्), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

Context

In the forest, Rama will look after your well-being and Sita will ensure our, women folk's security.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Sītā
• Araṇya (the forest)

FAQs

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

Dharma as protection and responsibility: the righteous leader (Rāma) and the virtuous companion (Sītā) are portrayed as ensuring the welfare (yogakṣema) of dependents, even under hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s exile, the citizens are overwhelmed with grief and contemplate following him; this verse frames confidence that Rāma and Sītā can safeguard the community’s welfare even in the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s guardianship and steadiness in dharma, and Sītā’s protective, compassionate strength—especially toward the womenfolk.