Valmiki Ramayana 2.40.14: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 14

प्रयाणवर्णनम्

Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency

Setting: AyodhyāImmediate departure; mounting the chariot

Devanagari script

अथो ज्वलनसङ्काशं चामीकरविभूषितम् ।

तमारुरुहतुस्तूर्णं भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥१४॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.40.14

Transliteration

atho jvalana-saṅkāśaṃ cāmīkara-vibhūṣitam |

tam āruruhatus tūrṇaṃ bhrātarau rāma-lakṣmaṇau ||14||

Translation

फिर राम और लक्ष्मण दोनों भाई जल्दी से उस रथ पर चढ़ गए। वो रथ सोना से सजा था और ऐसा चमक रहा था जैसे आग जल रही हो।

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Word by Word

• अथो: then/thereupon
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha + u (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; discourse particle (अनन्तरार्थक)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• ज्वलनसङ्काशम्: blazing-fire-like
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jvalana-saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान: ज्वलन इव सङ्काशः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of रथम् (understood)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• चामीकरविभूषितम्: adorned with gold
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cāmīkara-vibhūṣita (विभूष् धातु + क्त, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (चामीकरेण विभूषितम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; qualifies रथम्
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• तम्: that (chariot)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; refers to chariot
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• आरुरुहतुः: the two ascended
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-ruh (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• तूर्णम्: quickly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• भ्रातरौ: the two brothers
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• रामलक्ष्मणौ: Rama and Lakshmana
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma + lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्च), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; apposition to भ्रातरौ
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Dvandva

Sandhi Notes

• तमारुरुहतुस्तूर्णं = तम् + आरुरुहतुः + तूर्णम्
• अथो = अथ + उ (euphonic)

Context

Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana also boarded that chariot decorated with gold and shining like blazing fire.

The teaching

Strength in righteousness is amplified by loyal companionship and readiness to act.

Ethical theme

Bhrātṛ-dharma, vīrya

How it resolves

Solidarity in dharma through fraternal accompaniment

For your practice

Inspires sevā-bhāva (Lakṣmaṇa-like service) and courageous adherence to duty.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Swift, bright, steadfast

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Maryada
• Itihasa
• Renunciation
• Duty

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• chariot

FAQs

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

Prompt, resolute action in the path of duty: once the dharmic course is accepted, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa proceed without hesitation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa board the chariot as the departure from Ayodhyā for exile begins.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti) and readiness to act in accordance with a chosen vow.