Valmiki Ramayana 2.5.16 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 16

अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः

Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined

Devanagari script

बृन्दबृन्दैरयोध्यायां राजमार्गास्समन्ततः।बभूवुरभिसम्बाधाः कुतूहलजनैर्वृताः।।।।

Transliteration

bṛndabṛndair ayodhyāyāṃ rājamārgāḥ samantataḥ |

babhūvur abhisambādhāḥ kutūhalajanair vṛtāḥ ||

Translation

En Ayodhyā, las calzadas reales por todas partes quedaron estrechamente atestadas, rodeadas por grupos y más grupos de ciudadanos curiosos.

Word by Word

• bṛnda-bṛndaiḥ: by crowds upon crowds
• bṛnda-bṛndaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bṛnda (प्रातिपदिक) + bṛnda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व (iterative/collocation: ‘crowds upon crowds’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• ayodhyāyām: in Ayodhyā
• ayodhyāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayodhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• rāja-mārgāḥ: the royal highways
• rāja-mārgāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (‘royal roads’); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• samantataḥ: on all sides
• samantataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/परितोवाचक-अव्यय (on all sides)

• babhūvuḥ: became/were
• babhūvuḥ: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• abhisambādhāḥ: densely crowded/jammed
• abhisambādhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhisambādha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (of rāja-mārgāḥ)

• kutūhala-janaiḥ: by curious people
• kutūhala-janaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kutūhala (प्रातिपदिक) + jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (‘curiosity-people’ = curious people); पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• vṛtāḥ: surrounded
• vṛtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (PPP); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि (surrounded)

Context

The highways resembled the sea and the exultation of the multitudes, the roar that emanated from the clashing of waves.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā

FAQs

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

Dharma as civic unity: the populace collectively turns toward a righteous event, reflecting shared values and social cohesion.

What is the narrative situation?

Ayodhyā’s main roads are overflowing with crowds eager for the impending royal ceremony.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not an individual virtue, but the people’s collective enthusiasm for righteous kingship and auspicious order.