Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 17

अभिषेकसज्जा तथा सुमन्त्रस्य प्रेषणम्

Coronation Preparations and Sumantra’s Commission

Devanagari script

रामं राज्ञो नियोगेन त्वरया प्रस्थितोऽस्म्यहम्।।2.15.17।।पूज्या राज्ञो भवन्तस्तु रामस्य च विशेषतः।

Transliteration

rāmaṃ rājño niyogena tvarayā prasthito 'smy aham || 2.15.17 ||

pūjyā rājño bhavantas tu rāmasya ca viśeṣataḥ |

Translation

“By the king’s command I am quickly setting out for Rāma. You are worthy of honour from the king—and especially from Rāma as well.”

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: वाक्यसमाप्ति/उद्धरणार्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle: 'thus')

• तेषु: among them/while they
• तेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ब्रुवाणेषु: while (they) were speaking
• ब्रुवाणेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present middle participle), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• सार्वभौमान्: sovereign
• सार्वभौमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सार्वभौम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); विशेषणम्

• महीपतीन्: kings
• महीपतीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महीपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• इदम्: this (statement)
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• सर्वान्: all
• सर्वान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); विशेषणम् (qualifying तान्)

• सुमन्त्रः: Sumantra
• सुमन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुमन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• राजसत्कृतः: honoured by the king
• राजसत्कृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्कृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (instrumental/agentive sense: 'honoured by the king'); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) used as adjective; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

Context

Just as articles necessary for the consecration of the descendants of the Ikshvakus, are customarily arranged in the kingdom, in the same way things were arranged for the coronation of the prince belonging to that race. All those who had assembled there in response to the order of the king could not see him and so they said to themselves 'Who will inform the king of our arrival. Everything is kept ready for consecration of the sagacious Rama as prince regent. The Sun has risen. But we do not find the king'.

FAQs

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

Dharma is twofold: obedience to rightful command (service to the king) and honoring guests and elders (satkāra), especially in sacred public rites.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra informs the gathered dignitaries that he is going to fetch Rāma on the king’s orders and reassures them of the respect due to them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courtesy joined with duty: Sumantra balances urgency with respectful acknowledgement of the assembly.