Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 3
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्
Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King
तत्र काषायिणो वृद्धान् वेत्रपाणीन् स्वलङ्कृतान्।ददर्श विष्ठितान् द्वारि स्त्र्यध्यक्षान्सुसमाहितान्।।।।
tatra kāṣāyiṇo vṛddhān vetrapāṇīn svalaṅkṛtān |
dadarśa viṣṭhitān dvāri stryadhyakṣān susamāhitān ||
There he saw elderly wardens of the women’s quarters stationed at the doorway—clad in ochre, well-adorned, staffs in hand, and standing with unwavering attentiveness.
The sound emanating from the chariot resembled the thunder. The spacious chariot was decorated with gold and gems which dazzled the eyes as though they shed the lustre of the Sun. The swiftmoving chariot was harnessed by excellent horses as if they were young elephants. Like the thousandeyed Indra, Rama, ablaze with royal splendour, mounted this chariot and sped away.
FAQs
The verse highlights maryādā (social and moral order): protection of private spaces and safety within the royal household is treated as a duty carried out with vigilance and discipline.
As Rāma moves through the palace area, the narration notes the disciplined security arrangements at the entrance to the women’s quarters.
Institutional virtue—steadfastness and responsibility (susamāhita, vigilant composure) in those entrusted with protective duty.