Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 2

अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent

Devanagari script

सूत रत्नसुसम्पूर्णा चतुर्विधबला चमूः।राघवस्यानुयात्रार्थं क्षिप्रं प्रतिविधीयताम्।।।।

Transliteration

sūta ratna-susampūrṇā caturvidha-balā camūḥ | rāghavasyānuyātrārthaṃ kṣipraṃ pratividhīyatām ||2.36.2||

Translation

Ô cocher, que l’armée—parfaite en ses quatre corps et richement pourvue—soit aussitôt disposée pour accompagner Rāghava dans son voyage.

Word by Word

• sūta: O charioteer
• sūta: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• ratna-su-sampūrṇā: well supplied with gems
• ratna-su-sampūrṇā: Karta (कर्ता/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + sampūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: su-sampūrṇā (well-filled) with ratna; Strīliṅga, Nominative, Singular; agrees with camūḥ

• catur-vidha-balā: having fourfold forces
• catur-vidha-balā: Karta (कर्ता/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + vidha (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: caturvidhaṃ balaṃ yasyāḥ sā; Strīliṅga, Nominative, Singular; agrees with camūḥ

• camūḥ: the army
• camūḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject of pratividhīyatām)
• Type: Noun
• Root: camū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Nominative (1st), Singular

• rāghavasya: of Rāghava (Rama)
• rāghavasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Genitive (6th), Singular

• anu-yātrā-artham: for accompanying (him) on the journey
• anu-yātrā-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anu (उपसर्ग) + yātrā (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: anuyātrāyāḥ arthaḥ; Napumsaka, Accusative (2nd), Singular; purpose-accusative

• kṣipram: quickly
• kṣipram: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kṣipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण)

• pratividhīyatām: let (it) be arranged
• pratividhīyatām: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati + vidhā (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular; passive/impersonal sense 'let it be arranged'

Context

O Sumantra! arrange immediately four divisions of the army, well-equipped with precious stones to escort Rama in his journey to (the forest).

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Army (caturvidha-balā)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma includes ensuring the safety and orderly conduct of a prince’s journey. The king’s duty is logistical protection and preparedness, even amid personal distress.

What is the narrative situation?

An order is issued to arrange a fourfold army to accompany Rāma, reflecting immediate preparations connected to his departure.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Administrative responsibility and prompt execution of duty—swift, organized action in service of the realm and the royal household.