Valmiki Ramayana 2.25.44: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 44
कौशल्याया मङ्गलविधानम् · Kausalya’s Benedictions and Protective Rites for Rama
Spoken by Kaikeyi to RamaSetting: AyodhyaPlaces named: vana (forest)Anticipated return from forest-exile
मङ्गलैरुपसपन्नो वनवासादिहागतः ।
वध्वा मम च नित्यं त्वं कामान्संवर्ध याहि भोः ॥४४॥
maṅgalair upasampanno vanavāsād ihāgataḥ |
vadhvā mama ca nityaṃ tvaṃ kāmān saṃvardha yāhi bhoḥ ||44||
हे राम, जब तुम जंगल से वापस आओगे, सब शुभ होगा। मेरी और तुम्हारी पत्नी की हर ख्वाहिश पूरी करते रहो, हमेशा।
Sandhi Notes
- maṅgalairupasapannaḥ = maṅgalaiḥ upasampannaḥ
- vanavāsādihāgataḥ = vana-vāsāt iha āgataḥ
- kāmānsaṃvardha = kāmān saṃvardha
O Rama!, credited with auspicious events on return from the forest, fulfil my desires and those of my daughter-in-law (Sita).
The teaching
Auspicious household wishes are legitimate when aligned with dharma and mutual care within marriage.
- Ethical theme
- Gṛhastha-dharma / śubha-āśīrvāda
For your practice
Cultivating maṅgala-bhāva (auspicious intention) and benevolent speech as daily sādhana.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shringara (love), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Affectionate, auspicious, domestic
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Maryada
- Family duty
- Kingship ethics
- Itihasa
Auspiciousness (maṅgala) signifies sattva; desires become ennobled when ‘saṃvardhita’ within dharma rather than as binding craving.
Echo of the ideal of harmony of puruṣārthas—kāma not opposed to dharma when rightly ordered.
- Kausalya and Rama
- Mother’s affectionate injunction/blessing (protective-affectionate)
- Rama and Sita
- Husband-wife mutual fulfillment of wishes (loving-supportive)
- Kausalya and Sita
- Mother-in-law to daughter-in-law (benevolent) (warm-approving)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.25.42-46 (Kaushalyā’s blessings sequence); Rāmacaritamānasa Ayodhyākāṇḍa (maternal blessings and auspicious return motifs, thematic parallel)
Gṛhya-sūtra culture of maṅgala-lakṣaṇas and blessings on return
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: repeated concern for Sītā’s welfare and household auspiciousness
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Joyful
Brighter udatta emphasis on ‘maṅgalaiḥ’
FAQs
The verse foregrounds duty within family order: the expectation that Rāma, once he returns, should continue sustaining legitimate obligations and relationships—an appeal to maryādā (social-ethical propriety) and responsible conduct.
Kaikeyī speaks to Rāma at the moment of his departure for forest-exile, giving a parting statement that looks ahead to his eventual return.
Rāma’s reliability in upholding duties—steadfastness in meeting rightful expectations even after hardship.
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