Valmiki Ramayana 2.4.38 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 38

अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः

Rāma Summoned; Pushya Coronation Decision

Devanagari script

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु कौशल्या चिरकालाभिकाङ्क्षितम्।हर्षबाष्पकलं वाक्यमिदं राममभाषत।।2.4.38।।

Transliteration

etac chrutvā tu kauśalyā cirakālābhikāṅkṣitam | harṣa-bāṣpa-kalaṃ vākyam idaṃ rāmam abhāṣata || 2.4.38 ||

Translation

Als Kausalyā diese seit langem ersehnte Kunde vernahm, sprach sie zu Rāma; ihre Worte waren lieblich, doch von Freudentränen verschleiert.

Word by Word

• एतत्: this (news)
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; accusative singular

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त्वा/absolutive), अव्ययभाव; ‘having heard’

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-अव्यय (particle)

• कौशल्या: Kausalya
• कौशल्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशल्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/कर्ता), एकवचन; nominative singular

• चिरकालाभिकाङ्क्षितम्: long desired
• चिरकालाभिकाङ्क्षितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिरकाल + अभि+काङ्क्षित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; adjective to vākyam/etad; समासः—तत्पुरुष (चिरकालेन अभिकाङ्क्षितम्)

• हर्षबाष्पकलम्: choked/blurred by tears of joy
• हर्षबाष्पकलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हर्ष + बाष्प + कल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; adjective to vākyam; समासः—तत्पुरुष (हर्षस्य बाष्पेण कलम्)

• वाक्यम्: words/speech
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; accusative singular

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; demonstrative ‘this’

• रामम्: to Rama
• रामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/कर्म), एकवचन; accusative (addressed person)

• अभाषत: spoke
• अभाषत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतन-भूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; imperfect ‘spoke’

Context

O my dear child, O Rama, may you live long! Let your enemies be destroyed. Endowed with prosperity, bring delight to my relatives and those of Sumitra.

Characters & Entities

• Kausalya
• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma is honored when rightful succession and virtue are recognized; Kausalya’s joy reflects approval of a righteous outcome.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalya hears of Rama’s impending installation and responds emotionally, speaking through tears of happiness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maternal devotion and heartfelt blessing rooted in dharmic hope.