Valmiki Ramayana 2.40.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 13

प्रयाणवर्णनम्

Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency

Devanagari script

तं रथं सूर्यसङ्काशं सीता हृष्टेन चेतसा।आरुरोह वरारोहा कृत्वालङ्कारमात्मनः।।।।

Transliteration

taṃ rathaṃ sūryasaṅkāśaṃ sītā hṛṣṭena cetasā | āruroha varārohā kṛtvālaṅkāram ātmanaḥ ||2.40.13||

Translation

Sītā, von anmutiger Gestalt, schmückte sich; und mit freudigem, gefestigtem Herzen bestieg sie jenen Wagen, strahlend wie die Sonne.

Word by Word

• तम्: that
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; refers to रथम्

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सूर्यसङ्काशम्: sun-like/resplendent as the sun
• सूर्यसङ्काशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya-saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान: सूर्य इव सङ्काशः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of रथम्

• सीता: Sita
• सीता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हृष्टेन: with delighted
• हृष्टेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣṭa (हृष् धातु + क्त, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग? (here with चेतसा: नपुंसकलिङ्ग), तृतीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; instrumental qualifier

• चेतसा: mind/heart
• चेतसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cetas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• आरुरोह: mounted/ascended
• आरुरोह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-ruh (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• वरारोहा: the fair-limbed lady
• वरारोहा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara-ārohā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (वरः आरोहः यस्याः/या), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; epithet of Sita

• कृत्वा: having done/made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव

• अलङ्कारम्: adornment/decoration
• अलङ्कारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alaṅkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आत्मनः: of herself/of her person
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), एकवचन; reflexive sense 'of herself'

Context

Sita of lovely limbs decorated herself and with a cheerful mind boarded the chariot which was shining like the Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• chariot (ratha)
• sun (sūrya)

FAQs

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

Dharma as steadfast companionship and inner strength: Sītā’s composed preparation signifies choosing righteous solidarity with her husband despite impending hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

As the journey is about to begin, Sītā decorates herself and boards the shining chariot.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s courage and commitment—she meets exile not with collapse but with dignified readiness.