Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 34, Shloka 17

रामदर्शनार्थं दारानयनम्

The Queens Summoned; Rama’s Leave-Taking and Dasaratha’s Collapse

Devanagari script

सोऽभिदुद्राव वेगेन रामं दृष्ट्वा विशाम्पतिः।तमसंप्राप्य दुःखार्तः पपात भुवि मूर्छितः।।।।

Transliteration

so 'bhidudrāva vegena rāmaṃ dṛṣṭvā viśāṃpatiḥ |

tam asaṃprāpya duḥkhārtaḥ papāta bhuvi mūrcchitaḥ ||

Translation

At the sight of Rāma, the lord of men rushed forward in haste; but, unable to reach him, the king—tormented by sorrow—collapsed unconscious upon the ground.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• abhidudrāva: ran towards
• abhidudrāva: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dru (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); with upasarga abhi- (अभि)

• vegena: with speed
• vegena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• rāmam: Rama
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययकृदन्त)

• viśām-patiḥ: lord of men (king)
• viśām-patiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viś (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): viśām (Genitive plural sense) + patiḥ; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• asaṃprāpya: not reaching
• asaṃprāpya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√prāp (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समर्थ, अव्ययकृदन्त) with negation a- (अ-): 'not having reached'

• duḥkha-ārtaḥ: afflicted with grief
• duḥkha-ārtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkha (प्रातिपदिक) + ārta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (कर्मधारय/उपपद-समास sense: 'afflicted by grief'); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• papāta: fell
• papāta: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pat (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhuvi: on the ground
• bhuvi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• mūrchitaḥ: unconscious
• mūrchitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √mūrch (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-प्रत्यय, क्तान्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

Rama and the mighty warrior Lakshmana, quickly reached the king who lay as though he had lost his senses due to grief.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rama

FAQs

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

The verse reveals the human cost when dharma-bound decisions (like exile) collide with parental love; it highlights compassion as an ethical reality within royal life, not merely political formality.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha runs toward Rama but collapses before reaching him, overcome by grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s intense love and emotional vulnerability, underscoring the depth of his bond with Rama.