Valmiki Ramayana 2.46.29 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 29

तमसातीरवासः

Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens

Devanagari script

स सन्तीर्य महाबाहुः श्रीमान् शिवमकण्टकम्।प्रापद्यत महामार्गमभयं भयदर्शिनाम्।।2.46.29।।

Transliteration

sa santīrya mahābāhuḥ śrīmān śivam akaṇṭakam |

prāpadyata mahā-mārgam abhayaṁ bhaya-darśinām ||2.46.29||

Translation

Nachdem er hinübergelangt war, nahm der ruhmreiche, starkarmige Rāma die große Heerstraße — glückverheißend und ohne Hindernis — die selbst den Furchtsamen Zuversicht schenkt.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• santīrya: having crossed
• santīrya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√tṝ (धातु)
• Form: Ktvānta (क्त्वान्त/absolutive); Upasarga: sam-; 'having crossed completely'

• mahābāhuḥ: mighty-armed (Rama)
• mahābāhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) 'one whose arms are great'; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• śrīmān: illustrious
• śrīmān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• śivam: auspicious
• śivam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies mahāmārgam (as 'auspicious')

• akaṇṭakam: thornless / unobstructed
• akaṇṭakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-kaṇṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Privative a- (नञ्); Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies mahāmārgam

• prāpadyata: reached / resorted to
• prāpadyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√pad (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (लङ्), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahāmārgam: great highway
• mahāmārgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• abhayam: fearless / safe
• abhayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies mahāmārgam

• bhayadarśinām: of the fearful (timid people)
• bhayadarśinām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya-darśin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'seeing fear' = timid; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

Context

Having crossed the river, the mighty-armed and gracious Rama proceeded on the auspicious and thornless highway arousing confidence even in the timid.

Characters & Entities

• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as a ‘clear path’: when one acts rightly, one’s course becomes auspicious and stabilizing, giving courage even to the fearful.

What is the narrative situation?

After crossing the river, Rama proceeds onto the main road, continuing the journey into exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral courage—Rama’s righteous direction is described as confidence-giving to others.