Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.34: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 34

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

ततो हयवरा मुख्या नागाश्च गिरिसन्निभाः ॥३४॥

अनुजग्मुस्तदा रामं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ।

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.16.34

Transliteration

tato hayavarā mukhyā nāgāś ca girisannibhāḥ ||34||

anujagmus tadā rāmaṃ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ |

Translation

Darauf folgten Rāma die vornehmsten Anführer—auf vortrefflichen Pferden und auf Elefanten, berggleich groß—zu Hunderten und zu Tausenden.

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Word by Word

• agrataḥ: in front
• agrataḥ: Deśa (देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: agratas (अव्यय)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya (adverb of place)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-avyaya

• asya: of him
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃ/Napumsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; genitive 'of him' (Rama)

• sannaddhāḥ: armoured, equipped
• sannaddhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃnaddha (कृदन्त; √nah (धातु) + sam, kta)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; adjective qualifying janāḥ

• candana-agaru-bhūṣitāḥ: adorned with sandal and agaru
• candana-agaru-bhūṣitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: candana (प्रातिपदिक) + agaru (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūṣita (कृदन्त; √bhūṣ (धातु), kta)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa (instrumental sense) = candanāgarubhiḥ bhūṣitāḥ; qualifying janāḥ

• khaḍga-cāpa-dharāḥ: bearing swords and bows
• khaḍga-cāpa-dharāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: khaḍga (प्रातिपदिक) + cāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; dvandva (itaretara) = khaḍgaṃ ca cāpaṃ ca dharanti; qualifying janāḥ

• śūrāḥ: brave
• śūrāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; qualifying janāḥ

• jagmuḥ: went, proceeded
• jagmuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect; 3rd person, Bahuvacana; parasmaipada

• āśaṃsavaḥ: heralds, proclaimers
• āśaṃsavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśaṃsavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; apposition to janāḥ; 'those who proclaim/praise'

• janāḥ: people, men
• janāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; subject of jagmuḥ

Context

Then the chief commanders riding the best of the horses and elephants, resembling hills in size, followed Rama in their hundreds and thousands.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• elephants (nāga)
• horses (hayā/vājinaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma as social order: legitimate leadership is supported by organized protectors and officials, indicating stability, readiness, and the duty to safeguard the realm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma is accompanied by a vast retinue of commanders and mounted forces as he proceeds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective discipline and loyalty—followers align themselves with the rightful prince, reflecting commitment to righteous governance.