Valmiki Ramayana 2.22.28: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 28

अभिषेक-निवृत्ति-उपदेशः

Withdrawal of the Coronation: Rama’s Counsel to Lakshmana

Spoken by Rama to LakṣmaṇaSetting: AyodhyaPre-departure; turning from palace resources toward forest discipline

Devanagari script

अथवा किं ममैतेन राजद्रव्यमयेन तु ।

उद्धृतं मे स्वयं तोयं व्रतादेशं करिष्यति ॥२८॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.22.28

Transliteration

athavā kiṃ mamaitena rāja-dravya-mayena tu |

uddhṛtaṃ me svayaṃ toyaṃ vratādeśaṃ kariṣyati ||28||

Translation

या फिर, मुझे क्या करना इस पानी से जो राजा के बर्तन में है? मैं खुद हाथ से पानी लाऊँगा। वो पानी मेरा व्रत पूरा करेगा।

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Word by Word

• अथवा: or else
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (or/otherwise)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)

• किम्: what (use)?
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object)

• मम: for me; my
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)

• एतेन: with this
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karana (करण/Instrument)

• राजद्रव्यमयेन: made of royal goods
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजद्रव्य + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (राजद्रव्यस्य मयः = made of royal property); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying एतेन)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• तु: indeed; but
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-अव्यय (but/indeed)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)

• उद्धृतम्: drawn (up)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-हृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying तोयम्)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)

• मे: my; for me
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन (enclitic)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)

• स्वयम्: by myself
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: स्वयम्-अव्यय (reflexive adverb: oneself)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/Agent-emphasis)

• तोयम्: water
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)

• व्रतादेशम्: injunction for a vow
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत + आदेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (vow's injunction); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• करिष्यति: will accomplish; will effect
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)

Sandhi Notes

• ममैतेन = मम + एतेन

Context

Or else, for me what is the use of these pots of holy water which are the king's property? The water drawn with my own hands will be made use of for my religious bath.

The teaching

A vow is strengthened by simplicity; dharma in adversity is served by letting go of privilege.

Duties in tension

• Royal entitlement/comfort vs. ascetic discipline appropriate to exile
• Dependence on palace resources vs. self-reliant vrata observance

Ethical theme

Niyama/vrata (austerity, aparigraha)

How it resolves

Renunciation and self-reliance

For your practice

Encourages aparigraha and disciplined practice; suitable as a reminder to simplify resources used in sādhanā.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Austere clarity, renunciant resolve, quiet strength

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Ethics
• Aparigraha (non-possession)
• Renunciation
• Maryādā

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• water (toya)
• vrata (vow/observance)

FAQs

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

Dharma is non-appropriation and purity of conduct: Rāma refuses to rely on royal property while entering a vow-bound life.

What is the narrative situation?

Preparing for a life of restraint, Rāma indicates he will use water drawn by himself rather than items associated with royal privilege.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Aparigraha and simplicity—Rāma embraces self-reliance consistent with vrata and exile-dharma.