Valmiki Ramayana 2.96.12: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 96, Shloka 12

चित्रकूटे सैन्यधूलिशब्ददर्शनम्

Alarm at Chitrakūṭa: Lakṣmaṇa sights the approaching army

Devanagari script

उदङ्मुखः प्रेक्षमाणो ददर्श महतीं चमूम्।रथाश्वगजसम्बाधां यत्तैर्युक्तां पदातिभिः।।2.96.12।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.96.12

Transliteration

udaṅmukhaḥ prekṣamāṇo dadarśa mahatīṃ camūm |

rathāśvagajasambādhāṃ yattair yuktāṃ padātibhiḥ ||2.96.12||

Translation

Nach Norden gewandt und aufmerksam schauend, erblickte er ein gewaltiges Heer, dicht gedrängt mit Wagen, Pferden und Elefanten, dazu wohlbewaffnete Fußsoldaten.

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Word by Word

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north
• उदङ्मुखः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदङ्-मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; ‘north-facing’

• प्रेक्षमाणः: looking
• प्रेक्षमाणः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन

• ददर्श: saw
• ददर्श: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; ‘saw’

• महतीम्: great, vast
• महतीम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन; विशेषण of चमूम्

• चमूम्: army
• चमूम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चमू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन; object of dadarśa

• रथाश्वगजसम्बाधाम्: crowded with chariots, horses, elephants
• रथाश्वगजसम्बाधाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रथ-अश्व-गज-सम्बाध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन; विशेषण of चमूम्; ‘densely packed with chariots, horses, elephants’

• यत्तैः: with well-equipped (men)
• यत्तैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-बहुवचन; instrumental; ‘with well-prepared/ready (troops)’

• युक्ताम्: composed of
• युक्ताम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन; agrees with चमूम्; ‘joined/consisting of’

• पदातिभिः: with infantry
• पदातिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पदाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-बहुवचन; instrumental

Context

He (Lakshmana) informed Rama about the army full of horses and elephants and decorated with chariot-banners and said these words:

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Army (camū)
• Chariots
• Horses
• Elephants

FAQs

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

Dharma includes vigilance and responsible awareness: recognizing danger without impulsive action, preparing to protect the innocent while seeking clarity.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa notices a large, organized force approaching, prompting immediate concern about intent and identity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s alertness and protective readiness.