Shloka 2.40.1

प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)

Devanagari script

अथ रामश्च सीता च लक्ष्मणश्च कृताञ्जलिः।उपसङ्गृह्य राजानं चक्रुर्दीना: प्रदक्षिणम्।।।।

Transliteration

atha rāmaś ca sītā ca lakṣmaṇaś ca kṛtāñjaliḥ | upasaṅgṛhya rājānaṃ cakrur dīnāḥ pradakṣiṇam ||2.40.1||

Translation

Then Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa—with palms joined and hearts cast down—reverently touched the king and circumambulated him in pradakṣiṇa.

Context

Thereafter, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana with folded palms in a forlom state touched (the feet of) the king and circumambulated him.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Daśaratha (rājā)

FAQs

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

Dharma of honoring elders and rightful authority: respectful gestures (añjali, reverent touch, pradakṣiṇā) express humility and adherence to righteous social order even in sorrow.

What is the narrative situation?

At a tense moment before departure, Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa approach the king respectfully and perform customary reverence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and self-restraint—especially in grief, they maintain dignified, dharmic conduct.