Valmiki Ramayana 2.5.2 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 2

अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः

Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined

Devanagari script

गच्छोपवासं काकुत्स्थं कारयाद्य तपोधन।श्रीयशोराज्यलाभाय वध्वा सह यतव्रतम्।।।।

Transliteration

gacchopavāsaṃ kākutsthaṃ kārayādya tapodhana |

śrīyaśorājyalābhāya vadhvā saha yatavratam ||

Translation

Geh heute, o Weiser, dessen Reichtum die Askese ist, und lass Kakutstha (Rāma), standhaft in seinen Gelübden, zusammen mit meiner Schwiegertochter ein Fasten halten, damit Wohlstand, Ruhm und das Reich rechtmäßig erlangt werden.

Word by Word

• gaccha: go
• gaccha: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Verb, Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष) Singular, Parasmaipada; from √gam (गम्)

• upavāsam: fast
• upavāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upavāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular

• kākutstham: Kakutstha’s descendant (Rama)
• kākutstham: Karma (कर्म) (object of ‘kāraya’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular; epithet of Rama

• kāraya: make (him) do; have (him) undertake
• kāraya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Causative verb (णिच्), Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person Singular, Parasmaipada; √kṛ (कृ) → kāraya ‘cause to do’

• adya: today
• adya: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of time (काल-अव्यय)

• tapodhana: O ascetic-wealthy one (O sage)
• tapodhana: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Vocative (सम्बोधन) Singular, Masculine; कर्मधारय: tapas (तपस्) as wealth (धन) → ‘one whose wealth is austerity’

• śrī-yaśo-rājya-lābhāya: for gaining prosperity, fame, and kingdom
• śrī-yaśo-rājya-lābhāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + yaśas + rājya + lābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (चतुर्थी) Singular, Masculine; तत्पुरुष (समाहार/उद्देश्य): ‘for the attainment (लाभ) of prosperity, fame, and kingdom’

• vadhvā: with the bride/daughter-in-law
• vadhvā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया) Singular

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, preposition-like indeclinable (सह) governing Instrumental

• yatavratam: observing strict vows
• yatavratam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yata + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine Accusative Singular; कर्मधारय: yata (नियत) + vrata (व्रत)

Context

Rama also sat for a while in the company of his sweet-tongued friends and duly honoured by them in every way took leave of them and entered his apartment.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Vasiṣṭha
• Rāma
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined preparation for a righteous public act (coronation): vows, restraint, and ritual observance are treated as supports for legitimate kingship and communal well-being.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha instructs Vasiṣṭha to go to Rāma and arrange a fast for Rāma and Sītā as part of the coronation rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s vrata-niyama (steadfastness in vows) and the king’s concern for auspicious, rule-bound procedure.