Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.5: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 5

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

तानुवाच विनीतात्मा सूतपुत्रः प्रदक्षिणः।क्षिप्रमाख्यात रामाय सुमंन्त्रो द्वारि तिष्ठति।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.16.5

Transliteration

tān uvāca vinītātmā sūtaputraḥ pradakṣiṇaḥ | kṣipram ākhyāta rāmāya sumantro dvāri tiṣṭhati ||

Translation

Alors le fils du cocher, l’âme humble et plein de courtoisie, leur dit : «Hâtez-vous d’en informer Rāma : Sumantra attend au seuil».

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Word by Word

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• rāmam: Rama
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• upasaṅgamya: having approached
• upasaṅgamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: upa + sam + √gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्): 'having approached'

• bhartuḥ: of the master/lord
• bhartuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• priya-cikīrṣavaḥ: wishing to do what is pleasing
• priya-cikīrṣavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priya + cikīrṣu (कृदन्त; √kṛ)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'desiring to do what is pleasing'

• saha-bhāryāya: together with (his) wife
• saha-bhāryāya: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saha + bhāryā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (agreeing with rāmāya); avyayībhāva: 'together with (his) wife'

• rāmāya: to Rama
• rāmāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• kṣipram: quickly
• kṣipram: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kṣipram (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• abhicakṣire: reported/informed
• abhicakṣire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi + √cakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

Context

With bards, panegyrists and great musical performers invoking blessings and walking ahead, he (Rama) proceeded, like Kubera amid intoxicated elephants and horses.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sumantra

FAQs

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

Dharma here is maryādā (proper conduct): messages are conveyed with humility, clarity, and urgency, respecting roles and procedure.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra has arrived at Rama’s residence; a messenger instructs the guards to promptly inform Rama that Sumantra is waiting at the entrance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vinaya (humility) and śīlatā (courtesy) in service—doing one’s duty without arrogance.