Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.37 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 37

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

हर्म्यवातायनस्थाभिर्भूषिताभिस्समन्ततः।।।।कीर्यमाण स्सुपुष्पौघैर्ययौ स्त्रीभिररिन्दमः।

Transliteration

harmyavātāyanasthābhir bhūṣitābhis samantataḥ |

kīryamāṇaḥ supuṣpaughair yayau strībhir arindamaḥ ||

Translation

Rāma, der Bezwinger der Feinde, zog weiter; und die Frauen, geschmückt und an den Fenstern ihrer Paläste stehend, überschütteten ihn von allen Seiten mit Fülle lieblicher Blumen.

Word by Word

• rāmam: Rama
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; object of vavandire

• sarva-anavadya-aṅgyaḥ: women of faultless limbs
• sarva-anavadya-aṅgyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदik) + anavadya (प्रातिपदik) + aṅgī (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; bahuvrīhi = yāsāṃ sarvāṇy aṅgāni anavadyāni tāḥ; subject of vavandire

• rāma-piprīṣayā: with the wish to please Rama
• rāma-piprīṣayā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदik) + piprīṣā (प्रातिपदik; desiderative noun from √prī (धातु))
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa = rāmasya piprīṣā; instrumental of purpose/motive

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya

• vaco-bhiḥ: with words
• vaco-bhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; instrumental of means

• agryaiḥ: excellent, choice
• agryaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agrya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; adjective qualifying vaco-bhiḥ

• harmya-sthāḥ: (women) on the rooftops/mansions
• harmya-sthāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: harmya (प्रातिपदik) + stha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa = harmye sthitāḥ; subject of vavandire

• kṣiti-sthāḥ: (women) on the ground
• kṣiti-sthāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣiti (प्रातिपदik) + stha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa = kṣitau sthitāḥ; subject of vavandire

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

• vavandire: paid homage, saluted
• vavandire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vand (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect; 3rd person, Bahuvacana; ātmanepada

Context

At that time, sounds of musical instruments and songs of eulogy by panegyrists, roarings of warriors were heard on the way.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Arindama)
• mansions (harmya)
• flowers (puṣpa)

FAQs

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

The verse shows dharma as social harmony: public honor is offered to a worthy figure, expressing shared faith in satya and righteous conduct as the basis of leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma passes through the city, women watch from mansion windows and shower flowers upon him in celebration.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s public trustworthiness—his reputation for virtue draws spontaneous reverence and affectionate acclaim.