Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 2

अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः

Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined

Devanagari script

गच्छोपवासं काकुत्स्थं कारयाद्य तपोधन।श्रीयशोराज्यलाभाय वध्वा सह यतव्रतम्।।।।

Transliteration

gacchopavāsaṃ kākutsthaṃ kārayādya tapodhana |

śrīyaśorājyalābhāya vadhvā saha yatavratam ||

Translation

Go today, O sage whose wealth is austerity, and have Kakutstha (Rāma)—steadfast in his vows—undertake a fast together with my daughter-in-law, so that prosperity, fame, and the kingdom may be rightly secured.

Word by Word

• gaccha: go
• gaccha: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Verb, Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष) Singular, Parasmaipada; from √gam (गम्)

• upavāsam: fast
• upavāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upavāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular

• kākutstham: Kakutstha’s descendant (Rama)
• kākutstham: Karma (कर्म) (object of ‘kāraya’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular; epithet of Rama

• kāraya: make (him) do; have (him) undertake
• kāraya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Causative verb (णिच्), Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person Singular, Parasmaipada; √kṛ (कृ) → kāraya ‘cause to do’

• adya: today
• adya: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of time (काल-अव्यय)

• tapodhana: O ascetic-wealthy one (O sage)
• tapodhana: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Vocative (सम्बोधन) Singular, Masculine; कर्मधारय: tapas (तपस्) as wealth (धन) → ‘one whose wealth is austerity’

• śrī-yaśo-rājya-lābhāya: for gaining prosperity, fame, and kingdom
• śrī-yaśo-rājya-lābhāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + yaśas + rājya + lābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (चतुर्थी) Singular, Masculine; तत्पुरुष (समाहार/उद्देश्य): ‘for the attainment (लाभ) of prosperity, fame, and kingdom’

• vadhvā: with the bride/daughter-in-law
• vadhvā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया) Singular

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, preposition-like indeclinable (सह) governing Instrumental

• yatavratam: observing strict vows
• yatavratam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yata + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine Accusative Singular; कर्मधारय: yata (नियत) + vrata (व्रत)

Context

Rama also sat for a while in the company of his sweet-tongued friends and duly honoured by them in every way took leave of them and entered his apartment.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Vasiṣṭha
• Rāma
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined preparation for a righteous public act (coronation): vows, restraint, and ritual observance are treated as supports for legitimate kingship and communal well-being.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha instructs Vasiṣṭha to go to Rāma and arrange a fast for Rāma and Sītā as part of the coronation rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s vrata-niyama (steadfastness in vows) and the king’s concern for auspicious, rule-bound procedure.