Valmiki Ramayana 2.24.29: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 29

कौशल्यारामसंवादः

Kausalya–Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma

Devanagari script

एवं कालं प्रतीक्षस्व ममागमनकाङ्क्षिणी।नियता नियताहारा भर्तृशुश्रूषणे रता।।2.24.29।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.24.29

Transliteration

evaṃ kālaṃ pratīkṣasva mamāgamanakāṅkṣiṇī |

niyatā niyatāhārā bhartṛśuśrūṣaṇe ratā || 2.24.29 ||

Translation

So warte die Zeit ab, nach meiner Rückkehr verlangend: in Selbstzucht, maßvoll in der Speise und dem Dienst am Gatten hingegeben.

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Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक

• कालम्: time
• कालम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• प्रतीक्षस्व: wait
• प्रतीक्षस्व: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + √ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

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

• आगमनकाङ्क्षिणी: (O you) longing for (my) return
• आगमनकाङ्क्षिणी: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आगमन + काङ्क्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (आगमनं काङ्क्षति)

• नियता: disciplined (O you)
• नियता: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; संबोधनार्थे प्रथमा

• नियताहारा: having regulated food
• नियताहारा: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत + आहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (नियतो आहारो यस्याः सा)

• भर्तृशुश्रूषणे: in service to the husband
• भर्तृशुश्रूषणे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ + शुश्रूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भर्तुः शुश्रूषणम्)

• रता: devoted
• रता: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (to the addressee)

Context

How will Rama live on roots and fruits in the forest hereafter when his servants and attendants enjoy delicious food (here)?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kauśalyā
• husband (Daśaratha implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is endurance with discipline: maintaining self-restraint, regulated living, and faithful care of family duties during separation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma counsels Kauśalyā on how to live while he is away in exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti) and self-governance (niyama) as the proper response to sorrow and uncertainty.