Valmiki Ramayana 2.29.8 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 29, Shloka 8

सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः

Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

अथ चापि महाप्राज्ञ ब्राह्मणानां मया श्रुतम्।पुरा पितृगृहे सत्यं वस्तव्यं किल मे वने।।।।

Transliteration

atha cāpi mahāprājña brāhmaṇānāṃ mayā śrutam | purā pitṛgṛhe satyaṃ vastavyaṃ kila me vane ||

Translation

Moreover, O wise one, I once heard a true prediction from Brahmins in my father's house: that I would certainly have to dwell in the forest.

Word by Word

• lakṣaṇibhyaḥ: from omen-readers/physiognomists
• lakṣaṇibhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣaṇin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative), बहुवचन; 'from those skilled in marks/omens'

• dvijātibhyaḥ: from the twice-born (brahmins)
• dvijātibhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvi + jāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास: 'twice-born' (brahmins etc.)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), 'having heard'

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vacanam: words/saying
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• purā: formerly
• purā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय

• vanavāsakṛtotsāhā: (I) whose zeal is aroused for forest-dwelling
• vanavāsakṛtotsāhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vana-vāsa + kṛta + utsāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: vanavāsa-kṛta-utsāhā = 'having enthusiasm caused by forest-dwelling' (qualifies aham, feminine as speaker Sītā)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverb: 'always')

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• mahābala: O mighty one
• mahābala: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: 'great + strength'

Context

O highly sagacious Rama! I had also heard in my father's house long ago, from brahmins prophesing that some day I shall have certainly to dwell in the forest.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• brāhmaṇas
• vana (forest)

FAQs

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

Satya (truth) is treated as binding: Sītā aligns her choice with what she regards as a true, foreknown destiny, accepting hardship without resentment as part of righteous living.

What is the narrative situation?

To strengthen her resolve, Sītā cites an earlier prophecy heard at her parental home that foretold her dwelling in the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Acceptance and composure—Sītā embraces foretold adversity as something to be met with steadiness.