Valmiki Ramayana 2.14.52: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 52

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

Spoken by SumantraSetting: Ayodhya

Devanagari script

सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि ॥५२॥

वरुणश्चाग्निरिन्द्रश्च विजयं प्रदिशन्तु ते ।

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.14.52

Transliteration

somasūryau ca kākutstha śivavaiśravaṇāvapi ||52||

varuṇaścāgnirindraśca vijayaṃ pradiśantu te |

Translation

O Nachkomme von Kakutstha, mögen Mond und Sonne, Shiva und Kubera, Varuna, Agni und Indra dir den Sieg verleihen.

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Word by Word

• soma-sūryau: Moon and Sun
• Type: Noun
• Root: soma (प्रातिपदिक) + sūrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (Dvandva, इतरेतर); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन (dual)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Dvandva

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

• kākutstha: O Kakutstha (descendant of Kakutstha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)

• śiva-vaiśravaṇau: Śiva and Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + vaiśravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Dvandva

• api: also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/अपि-कार (particle): ‘also’
• Role: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चय-द्योतक)

• varuṇaḥ: Varuṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

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

• agniḥ: Agni
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• indraḥ: Indra
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

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

• vijayam: victory
• Type: Noun
• Root: vijaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• pradiśantu: may they bestow
• Type: Verb
• Root: diś (धातु)
• Form: उपसर्ग: प्र-; लोट्-लकार (Imperative/benedictive sense), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• te: to you
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी (Dat), एकवचन; सर्वनाम: ‘to you’
• Role: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)

Sandhi Notes

• sōmasūryau → soma-sūryau (dvandva)
• śivavaiśravaṇāvapi → śiva-vaiśravaṇau api
• varuṇaścāgnirindraśca → varuṇaḥ ca agniḥ indraḥ ca

Context

O descendent of Kakutstha, may Moon and Sun, Siva and Kubera, Varuna, Agni and Indra bestow victory on you.

The teaching

Divine blessings accompany righteous undertakings; the cosmic order supports dharma

Ethical theme

Rita cosmic order

Devotion and practice

invocation of divine blessings before undertaking

Deity praised

multiple deities

Form of praise

Vandana (salutation)

Mantra

सोमसूर्यौ च काकुत्स्थ शिववैश्रवणावपि

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Sacred, invocational, benedictory

Themes

• Dharma
• Blessings
• Coronation
• Divine Invocation
• Kingly Duties

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Moon (Soma)
• Sun (Surya)
• Shiva
• Kubera
• Varuna
• Agni
• Indra
• Rama (as Kakutstha descendant)

FAQs

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

The verse reflects the dharmic principle of seeking divine blessings before undertaking significant endeavors. It demonstrates the ancient Indian tradition of invoking cosmic forces to ensure righteous success in noble undertakings like a coronation.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra, the royal charioteer and minister, is awakening King Dasharatha early in the morning before Rama's scheduled coronation. He invokes various deities to bless the king and ensure victory and success for the impending ceremony.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse emphasizes the virtue of reverence and devotion to divine forces. It showcases the traditional practice of seeking blessings from celestial and divine beings before important life events, reflecting piety and spiritual awareness.