Valmiki Ramayana 2.22.27 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 27

अभिषेक-निवृत्ति-उपदेशः

Withdrawal of the Coronation: Rama’s Counsel to Lakshmana

Devanagari script

एभिरेव घटै स्सर्वैरभिषेचनसम्भृतैः।मम लक्ष्मण तापस्ये व्रतस्नानं भविष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

ebhir eva ghaṭaiḥ sarvair abhiṣecana-sambhṛtaiḥ |

mama lakṣmaṇa tāpasye vrata-snānaṁ bhaviṣyati ||

Translation

Mit eben diesen Wasserkrügen, die für die Weihe zur Krönung bereitgestellt sind, o Lakshmana, werde ich das Gelübdebad für das kommende Leben asketischer Zucht vollziehen.

Word by Word

• एभिः: with these
• एभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम-विशेषण, पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying घटैः)

• एव: indeed; only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (only/indeed)

• घटैः: with pots
• घटैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सर्वैः: with all
• सर्वैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying घटैः)

• अभिषेचनसम्भृतैः: collected for consecration
• अभिषेचनसम्भृतैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभिषेचन + सम्भृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (for consecration + collected); पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying घटैः)

• मम: my
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• लक्ष्मण: O Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मण: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, संबोधन, एकवचन

• तापस्ये: in (my) penance
• तापस्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Occasion)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तापस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; अर्थः—तपस्यायाम् (in penance); विशेषणार्थे (qualifying context)

• व्रतस्नानम्: vow-bath; ritual bath for a vow
• व्रतस्नानम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (vow's bath); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भविष्यति: will be
• भविष्यति: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

With these very pots (of holy water) brought for the purpose of consecration, O Lakshmana! I shall take bath at the time of taking vow for practising penance.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Abhisheka (coronation)

FAQs

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

Dharma is adaptability in righteousness: Rama converts symbols of royal power into instruments of vowed discipline, showing commitment to truth and duty over status.

What is the narrative situation?

As coronation materials stand ready, Rama declares they will instead serve for his initiation into a vowed life of penance (tapasya), anticipating exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Renunciatory resolve and satya-niṣṭhā (steadfastness to truth): Rama redirects honor from kingship to ethical commitment.