Valmiki Ramayana 2.38.16: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 38, Shloka 16

अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः

Sita in Bark Garments; Public Outcry and Dasaratha’s Lament

Devanagari script

मया विहीनां वरद प्रपन्नां शोकसागरम्।अदृष्टपूर्वव्यसनां भूयस्सम्मन्तुमर्हसि।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.38.16

Transliteration

mayā vihīnāṃ varada prapannāṃ śokasāgaram | adṛṣṭapūrvavyasanāṃ bhūyaḥ sammantum arhasi ||

Translation

«يا واهب النِّعَم، إنها إذا فارقتني—وهي التي لم تعرف من قبل مثل هذه الشدائد—ستُلقى في بحرٍ من الحزن لم يُعهد؛ فجديرٌ بك أن ترعاها أكثر فأكثر.»

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Word by Word

• मया: by me/without me
• मया: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• विहीनाम्: bereft (of me)
• विहीनाम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-ही (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त) used adjectivally, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'deprived of' (with instr. mayā)

• वरद: O giver of boons
• वरद: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• प्रपन्नाम्: fallen into
• प्रपन्नाम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र- पद्/पन् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त) used adjectivally, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'having fallen into/entered'

• शोकसागरम्: ocean of sorrow
• शोकसागरम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोक (प्रातिपदिक) + सागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'शोकस्य सागरः' used as object of 'prapannām'

• अदृष्टपूर्वव्यसनाम्: facing unprecedented calamity
• अदृष्टपूर्वव्यसनाम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-दृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + व्यसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: 'अदृष्टं पूर्वं यस्याः तत् व्यसनम्' = suffering not seen before; qualifies the woman (Kausalya)

• भूयः: all the more
• भूयः: क्रिया-विशेषण
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भूयस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अधिक्य/पुनरर्थक-अव्यय (more/further)

• सम्मन्तुम्: to console
• सम्मन्तुम्: प्रयोजन (complement of 'arhasi')
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्- मन् (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त infinitive; 'to console/care for'

• अर्हसि: you should/are fit to
• अर्हसि: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; 2nd sg present

Context

O bestower of boons, separated from me and unaccustomed to suffering, she will be plunged into an unforeseen ocean of sorrow. You should pay her greater attention.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as compassionate responsibility: when harm is unavoidable due to a vow or royal duty, one must increase care toward the vulnerable—especially a mother unprepared for suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma, preparing for exile, appeals to his father Daśaratha to look after his mother (likely Kausalyā) because separation from Rāma will overwhelm her with grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s filial sensitivity and empathy: even while accepting exile in obedience to truth and duty, he safeguards others’ wellbeing through counsel and concern.