Valmiki Ramayana 2.79.17: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 79, Shloka 17
भरतस्य राज्यत्यागः तथा रामानयनप्रतिज्ञा
Bharata Rejects Kingship and Vows to Bring Rama Back
Addressed to BharataSetting: AyodhyaPreparations for onward journey from Ayodhya toward Rāma’s whereabouts (forest route)
ऊचुस्ते वचनमिदं निशम्य हृष्टा स्सामात्या स्सपरिषदो वियातशोकाः ।
पन्थानं नरवर भक्तिमान् जनश्च व्यादिष्टस्तव वचनाच्च शिल्पिवर्गः ॥१७॥
ūcus te vacanam idaṃ niśamya hṛṣṭāḥ sāmātyāḥ sapariṣadaḥ viyātaśokāḥ |
panthānaṃ naravara bhaktimān janaś ca vyādiṣṭas tava vacanāc ca śilpivargaḥ ||17||
Als sie deine Worte hörten, sprachen die Minister und die Mitglieder des Rates, vom Kummer befreit, voller Freude: „O Bester der Menschen, auf dein Geheiß sind die ergebenen Bürger und die Zünfte der Handwerker angewiesen worden, den Weg vorzubereiten.“
Sandhi Notes
- ऊचुस्ते = ऊचुः + ते
- वचनमिदं = वचनम् + इदम्
- हृष्टा स्सामात्या स्सपरिषदो = हृष्टाः + सामात्याः + सपरिषदः (visarga sandhi)
- वचनाच्च = वचनात् + च
- व्यादिष्टस्तव = व्यादिष्टः + तव
All the ministers and members of the council, relieved of their distress, were delighted to hear these words and said O best among men, on your orders devoted people and groups of artisans have been instructed to lay the road.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkōnāśītitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the seventyninth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
The teaching
Right intention must become organized action; dharma is sustained by competent institutions and cooperative citizens.
- Ethical theme
- Rāja-dharma / governance and public welfare
- How it resolves
- Administrative execution of dharmic intent
For your practice
Sevā-bhāva in community: translate devotion into practical service and preparedness.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Mobilized, relieved, purposeful
Themes
- Rajadharma
- Dharma
- Public Administration
- Collective Action
- Itihasa
Karma-yoga in civic form: coordinated, duty-bound action without personal gain, aimed at restoring dharmic order.
‘Saha nāvavatu’ spirit of collective endeavor—protection and progress through shared purpose (echo in communal mobilization).
- Ministers and Bharata
- Executive support; reporting compliance and readiness (supportive)
- Bharata and Rama
- Preparations imply journey to bring Rāma back; service to elder (devoted)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.80+ (Bharata’s departure preparations and journey to meet Rāma); Mahābhārata Śānti/Anuśāsana (general parallels on king’s reliance on ministers and guilds for public works); Rāmacaritamānasa Ayodhyākāṇḍa (preparations for Bharata’s march; civic participation)
Arthaśāstra-like governance: roads, artisans, and administrative command (general)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: motif of ‘path prepared’ for royal movement and ritualized travel
Āryā (gāthā-style cadence suggested by the longer pādas and prose-like flow)
Narrative
Brisk, forward-moving gait; rising contour on action-words "पन्थानं" "व्यादिष्ट"
FAQs
Dharma in practice is coordinated service: righteous intent must be supported by organized action—ministers, citizens, and artisans working together for a just purpose.
After being reassured by Bharata’s stance, the ministers and council report that preparations (road-making) have been ordered in accordance with his instructions.
Competent governance and devotion: the administration and public respond promptly and loyally to dharmic leadership.
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