Valmiki Ramayana 2.68.11: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 11

दूतप्रेषणम् · Dispatch of Messengers to Kekaya

Bharata’s Recall

Setting: अयोध्याFinal departure formalities; setting out

Devanagari script

ततः प्रास्थानिकं कृत्वा कार्यशेषमनन्तरम् ।

वसिष्ठेनाभ्यनुज्ञाता दूता स्संत्वरिता ययुः ॥११॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.68.11

Transliteration

tataḥ prāsthānikaṃ kṛtvā kāryaśeṣam anantaram |

vasiṣṭhenābhyanujñātā dūtāḥ saṃtvaritā yayuḥ ||11||

Translation

Daraufhin, nachdem sie die noch nötigen Vorbereitungen zur Abreise vollendet und von Vasiṣṭha die Erlaubnis empfangen hatten, zogen die Boten eilends davon.

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Word by Word

• ततः: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक अव्यय
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/temporal)

• प्रास्थानिकम्: departure arrangements
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रास्थानिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘journey-preparations’
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object)

• कृत्वा: having done
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive)
• Role: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)

• कार्यशेषम्: the remaining tasks
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्यशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समास: कार्यस्य शेषम् (the remaining work)
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• अनन्तरम्: immediately following / without delay
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (to kāryaśeṣam)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)

• वसिष्ठेन: by Vasiṣṭha
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karana (करण/agent in passive)

• अभ्यनुज्ञाताः: permitted/authorized
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि + अनु + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तृविशेषण (to dūtāḥ)
• Role: Kartr-visheshana (कर्तृविशेषण)

• दूताः: messengers
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• संत्वरिताः: in haste
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + त्वर् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘hastened’
• Role: Kartr-visheshana (कर्तृविशेषण)

• ययुः: went
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• कार्यशेषमनन्तरम् = कार्यशेषम् + अनन्तरम्
• वसिष्ठेनाभ्यनुज्ञाता = वसिष्ठेन + अभ्यनुज्ञाताः
• दूता स्संत्वरिता = दूताः + संत्वरिताः (ḥ + s → ss)

Context

Having completed the rest of the arrangements for the journey and permitted by Vasistha, the messengers left.

The teaching

कार्यशेषं समाप्य, वरिष्ठ-अनुज्ञां लब्ध्वा, शीघ्रं कर्तव्ये प्रवर्तेत।

Ethical theme

आचार

For your practice

Highlights the value of guru/elder sanction and completing loose ends before decisive action.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Urgent, disciplined, procedural

Themes

• Dharma
• Procedure
• Authority
• Itihasa
• Mission

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• dūtas (messengers)

FAQs

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

Respect for rightful authority and proper procedure: action is swift, but still authorized and orderly.

What is the narrative situation?

Messengers finalize travel logistics and depart after Vasiṣṭha formally authorizes the mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Obedience coupled with urgency—acting fast while remaining accountable to legitimate leadership.