Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.12: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 12

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

प्राञ्जलिस्सुमुखं दृष्ट्वा विहारशयनासने।राजपुत्रमुवाचेदं सुमन्त्रो राजसत्कृतः।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.16.12

Transliteration

prāñjaliḥ sumukhaṃ dṛṣṭvā vihāraśayanāsane |

rājaputram uvācedaṃ sumantro rājasatkṛtaḥ || 2.16.12 ||

Translation

Als er den Prinzen mit dem lieblichen Antlitz auf dem Lager ruhen sah, sprach Sumantra, vom König geehrt, mit gefalteten Händen diese Worte.

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Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• तपन्तम्: shining
• तपन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √tap (तप् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya present active participle (शतृ/वर्तमानकर्तरि), Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘tam’

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/comparative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Upamā-nipāta (उपमा-निपात)

• आदित्यम्: the sun
• आदित्यम्: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āditya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; upamāna

• उपपन्नम्: endowed
• उपपन्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-√pad (पद् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya PPP (क्त), Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘tam’ (endowed/possessed)

• स्वतेजसा: by his own splendor
• स्वतेजसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; karaṇa/hetu (by/with his own radiance)

• ववन्दे: saluted
• ववन्दे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vand (वन्द् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (लिट्/Perfect), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana

• वरदम्: boon-giver
• वरदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘varaṃ dadāti’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘tam’

• वन्दी: the panegyrist
• वन्दी: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vandī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• विनयज्ञः: knower of propriety
• विनयज्ञः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vinaya + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘vinayaṃ jānāti’; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘vandī’

• विनीतवत्: humbly
• विनीतवत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vinīta + vat (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: Avyaya in -vat (वत्) used adverbially; manner adverb

Context

On seeing Rama of charming countenance relaxing on a couch, Sumantra, honourable to the king (Dasaratha) said these words with folded palms.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sumantra

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through respectful communication—approaching a superior with folded hands and appropriate address, reflecting disciplined conduct (ācāra).

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra prepares to deliver Daśaratha’s message and begins by addressing Rāma formally and respectfully.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sumantra’s propriety and self-restraint in speech and posture (vinaya/ācāra).