Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.30-31: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shlokas 30-31
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
Spoken by Rama to SumantraSetting: Forest near GangaAt hermitage
एवमुक्त्वा तु राजानं मातरं च सुमन्त्र मे ।
अन्याश्च देवीस्सहिताः कैकेयीं च पुनः पुनः ॥३०॥
आरोग्यं ब्रूहि कौशल्यामथ पादाभिवन्दनम् ।
सीताया मम चाऽऽर्यस्य वचनाल्लक्ष्मणस्य च ॥३१॥
evamuktvā tu rājānaṃ mātaraṃ ca sumantra me |
anyāśca devīssahitāḥ kaikeyīṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ ||30||
ārogyaṃ brūhi kauśalyāmatha pādābhivandanam |
sītāyā mama cā''ryasya vacanāllakṣmaṇasya ca ||31||
सुमन्त्र, राजा को मेरा संदेश दे। मेरी माँ को भी बता, और बाकी रानियों को भी, कैकेयी को भी बार-बार कहते रह। बोलना कि हम ठीक हैं, लक्ष्मण और सीता भी ठीक हैं। कौसल्या माँ के पाँव छू के उनको मेरा, सीता का और लक्ष्मण का नमस्ते कहना।
Sandhi Notes
- ēvamuktvā = evam + uktvā
- devīssahitāḥ = devīḥ + sahitāḥ
- kauśalyāmatha = kauśalyām + atha
- cāryasya = ca + āryasya
- vacanāllakṣmaṇasya = vacanāt + lakṣmaṇasya
Having said this to the king, O Sumantra! tell my mother, the other queens including Kaikeyi again and again about my well-being and the well-being of Lakshmana and Sita. Convey our respectful salutations at the feet of mother Kausalya.
The teaching
Maintaining respect and love for all family members even in adversity
- Ethical theme
- Pitru-dharma and matru-dharma
Devotion and practice
exemplifies filial piety and respect for parents under all circumstances
- Form of praise
- Vandana (salutation)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Karuna (compassion), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Filial, respectful, dignified
Themes
- Dharma
- Filial Piety
- Respect
- Forgiveness
- Maryada
- Family Duty
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - treating all family with respect
Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava - worship of parents
- Rama and Dasharatha
- Son-father (reverential)
- Rama and Kausalya
- Son-mother (loving)
- Rama and Kaikeyi
- Stepson-stepmother (respectful)
- Rama and Sita
- Husband-wife (protective)
- Rama and Lakshmana
- Elder brother-younger brother (caring)
Ramcharitmanas 2.36; Taittiriya Upanishad on respect for parents
Matru Devo Bhava teaching
2.51.1; 2.53.1
Anuṣṭup
Solemn
Nishada
FAQs
The verse exemplifies the Dharmic principles of filial piety, respect for elders, and forgiveness. Despite being wronged by Kaikeyi's actions that led to his exile, Rama instructs Sumantra to convey his well-being to her as well, demonstrating extraordinary magnanimity. His respectful salutations to Kausalya show his unwavering devotion to his mother, even in exile.
Rama is preparing to leave for exile and is giving final instructions to Sumantra, the royal charioteer who drove him from Ayodhya. He asks Sumantra to return to Ayodhya and convey messages of well-being to his mothers and the king, showing his continued concern for his family despite his banishment.
The verse emphasizes Rama's supreme virtue of forgiveness (kshama) and his adherence to filial duty (putra-dharma). By including Kaikeyi, the architect of his exile, in his message, Rama demonstrates that he harbors no resentment. His respectful salutations to Kausalya show his deep reverence for his mother, embodying the ideal of a dutiful son.
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