Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.21: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 21

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Setting: Ayodhya (Rama’s residence)

Devanagari script

पतिसम्मानिता सीता भर्तारमसितेक्षणा ।

आद्वारमनुवव्राज मङ्गलान्यभिदध्युषी ॥२१॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.16.21

Transliteration

patisammānitā sītā bhartāram asitekṣaṇā |

ādvāram anuvavrāja maṅgalāny abhidadhyuṣī ||21||

Translation

सीता का पति उसकी बहुत इज्जत करता था। उसकी आँखें काली-थी काली थी। वो राम के पीछे-पीछे दरवाज़े तक गई। वो सोच रही थी कि सब कुछ ठीक हो रहा है।

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Word by Word

• pati-sammānitā: honored by (her) husband
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pati (प्रातिपदिक) + sammānita (√mān + sam-; क्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: pateḥ sammānitā = honored by husband
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• sītā: Sita
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• bhartāram: husband
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• asitekṣaṇā: dark-eyed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asita (प्रातिपदिक) + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: asitāni īkṣaṇāni yasyāḥ (dark-eyed)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• ā-dvāram: up to the door
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dvāra (प्रातिपदिक) with ā- (उपसर्गवत्)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: ā + dvāram; used adverbially = up to the door/entrance
• Role: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Compound: Avyayibhava

• anuvavrāja: followed/went after
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu- + √vraj (व्रज्) (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्) Imperfect, Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa Ekavacana
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• maṅgalāni: auspicious things
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṅgala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā Bahuvacana
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• abhidadhyuṣī: reflecting/thinking upon
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi- + √dhā (धा) (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/शतृँ), Strīliṅga Prathamā Ekavacana; 'thinking/reflecting'
• Role: Karta (कर्ता) (participial)

Sandhi Notes

• ādvāram = ā + dvāram (avyayībhāva)
• maṅgalāny- = maṅgalāni (i + a sandhi before abhidadhyuṣī)

Context

Reflecting over the auspicious event, the darkeyed Sita who is highly esteemed by her husband, followed him up to the entrance, (saying):

The teaching

Auspicious intention and respectful accompaniment at moments of duty strengthen harmony in household dharma.

Ethical theme

Gṛhastha-dharma

For your practice

Cultivates śubha-bhāvanā (auspicious mental framing) and sevā-bhāva in relationships.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shringara (love), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Tender, auspicious, hopeful

Themes

• Dharma
• Maryada
• Auspiciousness (maṅgala)
• Marital harmony
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• dvāra (doorway/entrance)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as maryādā in household life: affectionate propriety, honoring one’s spouse, and maintaining auspicious-mindedness during significant transitions.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma departs to meet the king, Sītā accompanies him to the threshold, thinking of the auspicious implications of what is about to occur.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s devotion and auspicious attentiveness—supportive presence coupled with thoughtful reflection.