Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.1 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 1

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां पृथुवक्षा महायशाः।उवाच रामः सौमित्रिं लक्ष्मणं शुभलक्षणम्।।2.52.1।।

Transliteration

prabhātāyāṃ tu śarvaryāṃ pṛthuvakṣā mahāyaśāḥ | uvāca rāmaḥ saumitriṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ śubhalakṣaṇam ||

Translation

Cuando la noche se tornó alba, Rāma, de ancho pecho y gran gloria, habló a Lakṣmaṇa, hijo de Sumitrā, de auspiciosas señales.

Word by Word

• प्रभातायाम्: at dawn
• प्रभातायाम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative setting)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/अन्वयार्थे (but/indeed)

• शर्वर्याम्: in the night
• शर्वर्याम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative setting)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• पृथुवक्षाः: broad-chested
• पृथुवक्षाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पृथुवक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (bahuvrīhi): पृथु + वक्षस्; पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• महायशाः: greatly renowned
• महायशाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महायशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास: महत् + यशस्; पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• उवाच: said/spoke
• उवाच: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• सौमित्रिम्: Saumitri (son of Sumitra)
• सौमित्रिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौमित्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• लक्ष्मणम्: Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मणम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); सौमित्रिम् इत्यस्य अपपद-सम्बन्धेन समानाधिकरण (appositional)

• शुभलक्षणम्: of auspicious marks
• शुभलक्षणम्: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभलक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास: शुभ + लक्षण; पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

As the night advanced towards dawn, broad-chested Rama of great renown said to Lakshmana, son of Sumitra, who had auspicious marks on his body:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sumitrā

FAQs

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

Readiness for righteous action: dharma often begins with disciplined preparation and timely counsel among those committed to a noble path.

What is the narrative situation?

At dawn, the narration signals a transition into action: Rāma is about to instruct Lakṣmaṇa as they proceed in their forest journey.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steady leadership and Lakṣmaṇa’s auspicious, duty-ready presence as a devoted companion.