Valmiki Ramayana 2.97.19 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 97, Shloka 19

भरतागमनशङ्कानिवारणम् / Dispelling Suspicion about Bharata’s Arrival

Chitrakuta Encampment

Devanagari script

तथोक्तो धर्मशीलेन भ्रात्रा तस्य हिते रतः।लक्ष्मणः प्रविवेशेव स्वानि गात्राणि लज्जया।।।।

Transliteration

tathokto dharmaśīlena bhrātrā tasya hite rataḥ | lakṣmaṇaḥ praviveśeva svāni gātrāṇi lajjayā ||

Translation

Thus addressed by his brother, steadfast in dharma and intent on his welfare, Lakshmana—overcome with shame—seemed to shrink back into his own limbs.

Word by Word

• tathā: thus
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: thus)

• uktaḥ: having been spoken to / addressed
• uktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ukta (कृदन्त, √vac धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• dharmaśīlena: by the virtuous-minded
• dharmaśīlena: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharmaśīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (धर्मस्य शीलम् यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instrumental singular)

• bhrātrā: by (his) brother
• bhrātrā: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instrumental singular)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; षष्ठी एकवचन (Genitive singular)

• hite: in (his) welfare
• hite: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन (Locative singular); 'हिते' = welfare/benefit

• rataḥ: devoted
• rataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rata (कृदन्त, √ram धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP used adjectivally); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; 'रक्त/आसक्त' अर्थे

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

• praviveśa: entered
• praviveśa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√viś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• iva: as if
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमार्थक-अव्यय (comparative particle: as if)

• svāni: his own
• svāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (Accusative plural); विशेषणम्

• gātrāṇi: limbs
• gātrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (Accusative plural)

• lajjayā: out of shame
• lajjayā: Hetu (हेतुः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lajjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instrumental singular)

Context

When sagacious Bharata of great strength has come here, where is the need for a bow or a sword or a shield.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Dharma includes receptivity to correction: Lakshmana’s shame shows moral sensitivity and willingness to be guided by righteous counsel.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rama’s firm yet ethical reprimand, Lakshmana feels embarrassed and withdraws his aggressive stance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakshmana’s humility and self-restraint—he can step back when corrected by dharma.