Valmiki Ramayana 2.32.13: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 13

द्वात्रिंशस्सर्गः

Gifts to Suyajna and the Brahmins; Trijata’s Petition and Rama’s Charity

Devanagari script

अगस्त्यं कौशिकं चैव तावुभौ ब्राह्मणोत्तमौ।अर्चयाहूय सौमित्रे रत्नैस्सस्यमिवाम्बुभिः।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.32.13

Transliteration

agastyaṃ kauśikaṃ caiva tāv ubhau brāhmaṇottamau |

arcayāhūya saumitre ratnaiḥ sasyam ivāmbubhiḥ ||

Translation

Ô Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa), fais venir Agastya et Kauśika, ces deux brahmanes éminents, et rends-leur hommage en répandant des présents précieux, comme la pluie nourrit les moissons sur pied.

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Word by Word

• agastyam: Agastya
• agastyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agastya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; proper name

• kauśikam: Kausika
• kauśikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kauśika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; proper name (Viśvāmitra)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चय/अवधारण)

• tau: those two
• tau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual (द्विवचन)

• ubhau: both
• ubhau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual; agreeing with tau

• brāhmaṇottamau: the two best brahmins
• brāhmaṇottamau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa-uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Dual; कर्मधारय: brāhmaṇau uttamau = two best brahmins

• arcaya: worship / honor
• arcaya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd Person, Singular; parasmaipada

• āhūya: having invited
• āhūya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√hū (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्): 'having invited/called'

• saumitre: O Saumitri (Lakshmana)
• saumitre: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumitri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• ratnaiḥ: with jewels
• ratnaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• sasyam: crops
• sasyam: Upameya (उपमेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sasya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object implied in simile

• iva: like
• iva: Upamādyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile marker

• ambubhiḥ: with waters (rain)
• ambubhiḥ: Upamāna-karaṇa (उपमान-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

Context

Satisfy them, O highly-armed Lakshmana, O bestower of honour! with a thousand cows, gold, silver and with the great wealth of gems.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitrī)
• Agastya
• Kauśika (Viśvāmitra)

FAQs

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

Dāna and satkāra: dharma requires honoring venerable sages with sincere hospitality and generous gifts, especially those who uphold sacred learning.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma directs Lakṣmaṇa to invite and honor eminent sages as part of a formal distribution of gifts to worthy recipients.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence toward spiritual authority: Rāma’s conduct highlights respect for rishis and brahmins as guardians of dharma and truth.