Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 12

अभिषेकसज्जा तथा सुमन्त्रस्य प्रेषणम्

Coronation Preparations and Sumantra’s Commission

Devanagari script

अष्टौ च कन्या माङ्गल्या स्सर्वाभरणभूषिताः।।2.15.12।।वादित्राणि च सर्वाणि वन्दिनश्च तथाऽपरे।

Transliteration

aṣṭau ca kanyā māṅgalyāḥ sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitāḥ || 2.15.12 ||

vāditrāṇi ca sarvāṇi vandinaś ca tathāpare |

Translation

Eight auspicious maidens, adorned with every ornament, and all kinds of musical instruments—along with panegyrists and others—stood ready for the ceremony.

Word by Word

• अष्टौ: eight
• अष्टौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टन् (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या; स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (कन्याः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• कन्याः: girls; maidens
• कन्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• माङ्गल्याः: auspicious
• माङ्गल्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माङ्गल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (कन्याः)

• सर्वाभरणभूषिताः: adorned with all ornaments
• सर्वाभरणभूषिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + आभरण + भूषित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (सर्वैः आभरणैः भूषिताः); क्त-प्रत्यय कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (कन्याः)

• वादित्राणि: musical instruments
• वादित्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वादित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (वादित्राणि)

• वन्दिनः: panegyrists; bards
• वन्दिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• तथा: likewise; and
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/and so)

• अपरे: others
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘others’ (substantivized adjective)

Context

Eight auspicious maidens adorned with all types of ornaments, all sorts of musical instruments, panegyrists and others (were in waiting).

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as communal participation in righteous governance: society supports legitimate rule through sanctioned rites, blessings, and public celebration.

What is the narrative situation?

Participants essential to the festive-ritual atmosphere—maidens, musicians, and bards—are assembled for Rāma’s consecration.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective devotion and harmony: the community aligns itself to uphold the royal rite with auspicious presence and praise.