Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 16

कौशल्याया मङ्गलविधानम्

Kausalya’s Benedictions and Protective Rites for Rama

Devanagari script

महावने विचरतो मुनिवेषस्य धीमतः।तवादित्याश्च दैत्याश्च भवन्तु सुखदास्सदा।।2.25.16।।

Transliteration

mahā-vane vicarato muni-veṣasya dhīmataḥ |

tava ādityāś ca daityāś ca bhavantu sukha-dāḥ sadā || 2.25.16 ||

Translation

As you wander in the great forest, clad like an ascetic and wise in mind, may both the Ādityas and the Daityas prove ever to be givers of peace to you.

Word by Word

• mahā-vane: in the great forest
• mahā-vane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī Ekavacana; Karmadhāraya: 'great forest'

• vicarataḥ: of (you) wandering
• vicarataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-car (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: present participle (शतृ/śatṛ) in genitive singular; Puṃliṅga Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana; 'of (you) wandering'

• muni-veṣasya: of (one) in sage’s attire
• muni-veṣasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक) + veṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa: 'muni-veṣa' = ascetic garb; genitive 'of one in ascetic garb'

• dhīmataḥ: of the wise
• dhīmataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana; adjective qualifying (you)

• tava: for you/your
• tava: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana; 'for you/your' (genitive of relation)

• ādityāḥ: Ādityas
• ādityāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āditya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• daityāḥ: Daityas
• daityāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• bhavantu: may they be
• bhavantu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra, Prathama-puruṣa Bahuvacana, parasmaipada

• sukha-dāḥ: givers of happiness
• sukha-dāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + dā (धातु/प्रातिपदिक दा-कर्तृ)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Bahuvacana; Tatpuruṣa: 'bestowing happiness' qualifying ādityāḥ/daityāḥ

• sadā: always
• sadā: Adhikaraṇa (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya adverb

Context

May gods and demons always give you happiness when you wander in that great forest clad in ascetic garb!

Characters & Entities

• Mahāvana (great forest)
• Āditya
• Daitya

FAQs

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

Dharma seeks harmony even amid opposites: the wish that both gods and their adversarial counterparts be favorable suggests a moral universe where truth and restraint can pacify conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma is envisioned as a forest-dwelling ascetic; the blessing asks that all classes of powerful beings be non-threatening and supportive.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śānti and self-control: Rāma’s ascetic demeanor and wisdom are treated as forces that elicit goodwill even from potentially hostile powers.