Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 28

पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53)

Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation

Devanagari script

विलप्योपरतं रामं गतार्चिषमिवानलम्।समुद्रमिव निर्वेगमाश्वासयत लक्ष्मणः।।।।

Transliteration

vilapyoparataṃ rāmaṃ gatārciṣam ivānalam | samudram iva nirvegam āśvāsayat lakṣmaṇaḥ ||

Translation

When Rāma ceased lamenting—like a fire whose flames have died down, like a sea grown still—Lakṣmaṇa comforted him.

Word by Word

• vilapya: having lamented
• vilapya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√lap (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund), ‘having lamented’

• uparatam: ceased/quieted
• uparatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uparata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त (PPP) used adjectivally; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; qualifies rāmam

• rāmam: Rama
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• gatārciṣam: with extinguished flames
• gatārciṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gata-arciṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (one whose flames have gone/extinguished)

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय

• analam: fire
• analam: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; upamāna

• samudram: ocean
• samudram: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; upamāna

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय

• nirvegam: motionless/without agitation
• nirvegam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirvega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; qualifies rāmam (implicit in second simile)

• āśvāsayat: consoled
• āśvāsayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√śvas (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Lakshmana
• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Context

Lakshmana consoled Rama who ceased to lament like fire with extinguished flames or like a motionless sea:

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Dharma includes care for others’ mental steadiness; Lakṣmaṇa’s duty is to support Rāma so that righteous resolve is preserved.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s grief quiets, Lakṣmaṇa actively consoles him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate loyalty—Lakṣmaṇa’s steady, protective presence.