Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.23 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 23

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

शोकोपहतचेताश्च वृद्धश्च जगतीपतिः।कामभावावसन्नश्च तस्मादेतद्ब्रवीमि ते।।2.52.23।।

Transliteration

śokopahatacetāś ca vṛddhaś ca jagatīpatiḥ |

kāmabhāvāvasannaś ca tasmād etad bravīmi te ||

Translation

Denn der Herrscher der Erde ist im Geist vom Kummer getroffen und ist betagt; zudem ist er von den Regungen der Leidenschaft beschwert. Darum sage ich dir dies.

Word by Word

• śoka-upahata-cetāḥ: one whose mind is overwhelmed by grief
• śoka-upahata-cetāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śoka (प्रातिपदिक) + upahata (√han धातु, क्त कृदन्त) + cetas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound (समास); Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifying jagatīpatiḥ; lit. 'whose mind is struck by grief'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction (समुच्चय)

• vṛddhaḥ: old
• vṛddhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifying jagatīpatiḥ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• jagatīpatiḥ: the lord of the earth (king)
• jagatīpatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagatī (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) 'lord of the earth'; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kāma-bhāva-avasannaḥ: overcome by desire/attachment
• kāma-bhāva-avasannaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक) + avasanna (ava√sad धातु, क्त कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifying jagatīpatiḥ; 'sunk/overcome by passion/attachment'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tasmāt (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक tad)
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb), 'therefore/from that reason'

• etat: this (matter)
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object of bravīmi

• bravīmi: I tell, I say
• bravīmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 1st person, Singular

• te: to you
• te: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

Context

I tell you this because the lord of the earth (Dasaratha), is in deep distress. He is old. And he is under the control of his passion.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sumantra
• Dasharatha

FAQs

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

Dharma includes realistic compassion: Rama acknowledges human frailty (age, grief, desire) and urges careful action to protect the vulnerable from further harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama explains to Sumantra why he must be cautious and supportive toward Daśaratha when returning—because the king is emotionally and physically fragile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s discernment (viveka) and empathy: he diagnoses the king’s condition and responds with responsible, protective counsel.