Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 6, Shloka 18

रामाभिषेकपूर्वसज्जा

Preparations for Rama’s Coronation

Devanagari script

प्रकाशकरणार्थं च निशागमनशङ्कया।दीपवृक्षां स्तथा चक्रुरनु रथ्यासु सर्वशः।।2.6.18।।

Transliteration

prakāśakaraṇārthaṃ ca niśāgamanaśaṅkayā |

dīpavṛkṣāṃs tathā cakrur anu rathyāsu sarvaśaḥ || 2.6.18 ||

Translation

Y, temiendo que cayera la noche, levantaron también “árboles de lámparas” por todas las calles, para que la ciudad permaneciera bien iluminada.

Word by Word

• प्रकाश-करण-अर्थम्: for the purpose of illumination
• प्रकाश-करण-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रकाश (प्रातिपदिक) + करण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—प्रकाशस्य करणम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) तस्य अर्थम् (purpose)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• निशा-गमन-शङ्कया: from fear that night might come
• निशा-गमन-शङ्कया: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक) + गमन (प्रातिपदिक) + शङ्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः—निशायाः गमनम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) तस्य शङ्का (fear/apprehension)

• दीप-वृक्षान्: lamp-trees (tree-like lamp-stands)
• दीप-वृक्षान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + वृक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; समासः—दीपानां वृक्षाः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Prakara (प्रकार/Adverbial manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: so/likewise)

• चक्रुः: they made/arranged
• चक्रुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• अनु: along/throughout
• अनु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Distribution)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: अव्यय; उपपद/पूर्वसर्गार्थे (adverb/preposition: along/throughout)

• रथ्यासु: in the streets
• रथ्यासु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन

• सर्वशः: everywhere
• सर्वशः: Prakara (प्रकार/Adverbial extent)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सर्वत्र/सर्वप्रकारेण (adverb: everywhere/all over)

Context

Thus the residents of Ayodhya decorated the city and eagerly waited for Rama's cornonation as heir-apparent. Gathered in groups at public squares and in the assembly halls they conversed among themselves about the event, praising Dasaratha, the lord among men.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā (implied)

FAQs

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

Responsibility in public life: dharma includes practical care—ensuring safety, order, and readiness for a sacred civic event.

What is the narrative situation?

The city’s streets are illuminated with decorative lamp-stands in preparation for the coronation festivities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Foresight and diligence—organizing the city so the ceremony can proceed smoothly regardless of time.