Valmiki Ramayana 2.113.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 2

पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च

The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya

Bharata’s march toward Citrakūṭa/Rāma

Devanagari script

वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च जाबालिश्च दृढव्रतः ।

अग्रतः प्रययु स्सर्वे मन्त्रिणो मन्त्रपूजिताः ॥२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.113.2

Transliteration

vasiṣṭho vāmadevaś ca jābāliś ca dṛḍhavrataḥ |

agrataḥ prayayuḥ sarve mantriṇo mantrapūjitāḥ ||2||

Translation

Modern Hindi

वसिष्ठ, वामदेव और जाबाली, यह तीनों अपने व्रत में पक्के थे। सारे मंत्री साथ थे, सब उनकी बात मानते थे। यह सब आगे-आगे चले।

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• मन्दाकिनीम्: Mandākinī (river)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्दाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म; goal/along)

• नदीम्: river
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; apposition to मन्दाकिनीम्
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• रम्याम्: charming
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of नदीम्
• Role: Karma (कर्म; qualifier)

• प्राङ्मुखाः: facing east
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘प्राङ् मुखं येषां ते’
• Role: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Compound: Bahuvrihi

• ते: they
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• ययुः: went
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• तदा: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/काल)

• प्रदक्षिणम्: circumambulation
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रदक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषण/कर्म
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• कुर्वाणाः: doing/performing
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: शानच् (present middle participle); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपदभाव
• Role: Karta (कर्ता; concomitant action)

• चित्रकूटम्: Chitrakūṭa
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रकूट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• महागिरिम्: great mountain
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + गिरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘महान् गिरिः’ (apposition to चित्रकूटम्)
• Role: Karma (कर्म; apposition)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

Sandhi Notes

• प्राङ्मुखास्ते = प्राङ्मुखाः + ते
• कुर्वाणाश्च = कुर्वाणाः + च

Context

Vasishta, Vamadeva, Jabali of rigorous penance and all the ministers honoured for their counsel proceeded ahead.

The teaching

Rājadharma advances best when action is preceded by the guidance of ācāryas and seasoned counselors.

Ethical theme

Governance/leadership

For your practice

Model for sādhaka: place wise guidance and vows before undertaking a difficult journey or decision.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Processional, resolute, orderly

Themes

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Maryada
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Vāmadeva
• Jābāli
• ministers (mantriṇaḥ)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma values guided leadership: those revered for wise counsel and disciplined vows take the lead, signaling that righteous governance proceeds with tested advisors and self-restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

As Bharata’s party travels, senior sages and royal ministers move ahead, organizing and guiding the procession.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Disciplined wisdom—steadfast vows (dṛḍha-vrata) and respected counsel (mantra) as the basis of rightful action.