Valmiki Ramayana 2.14.60: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 60

सत्यपाशः

Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise

Devanagari script

सुमन्त्रः करुणं श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा दीनं च पार्थिवम्।प्रगृहीताञ्जलिः किञ्चित्तस्माद्देशादपाक्रमत्।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.14.60

Transliteration

sumantraḥ karuṇaṃ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā dīnaṃ ca pārthivam | pragṛhītāñjaliḥ kiñcit tasmād deśād apākramat ||

Translation

فلما سمع سومنترَ كلامَ الملك الحزين ورآه ذليلاً كئيبًا، ضمّ كفّيه بخشوعٍ وتراجع قليلاً عن ذلك الموضع.

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Word by Word

• sumantraḥ: Sumantra
• sumantraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sumantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• karuṇam: pitiable (words)
• karuṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; used substantively as object of śrutvā (i.e., karuṇaṃ vacaḥ)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā (क्त्वा) absolutive

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā (क्त्वा) absolutive

• dīnam: wretched
• dīnam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; adjective to pārthivam

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चय-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction (समुच्चय)

• pārthivam: the king
• pārthivam: Karma (कर्म) (object of dṛṣṭvā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārthiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• pragṛhītāñjaliḥ: with folded hands
• pragṛhītāñjaliḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra + √grah (धातु) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: "whose hands are held in añjali"; past participle pragṛhīta (क्त) + añjali; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; adjective to sumantraḥ

• kiñcit: a little
• kiñcit: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kiñcit (अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of degree/measure (परिमाणवाचक)

• tasmāt: from that
• tasmāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• deśāt: place
• deśāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; in apposition to tasmāt

• apākramat: moved away/withdrew
• apākramat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: apa + √kram (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (लङ्, imperfect/past), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Context

Having heard the sorrowful words of the king and having seen his wretched state Sumantra with palms folded moved away a little from the place.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma as respectful service: when a superior is overwhelmed, a servant-minister shows restraint, reverence, and sensitivity rather than pressing further.

What is the narrative situation?

After Daśaratha’s pained reply, Sumantra respectfully withdraws a short distance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sumantra’s humility and empathy, expressed through folded hands and measured withdrawal.