Valmiki Ramayana 2.55.30: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55, Shloka 30

चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः · Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing

Setting: Forest environs near Chitrakuta/Prayaga route, rich in unfamiliar trees, shrubs, and flowering creepersPlaces named: Chitrakuta, PrayagaWalking and observing flora during exile travel

Devanagari script

एकैकं पादपं गुल्मं लतां वा पुष्पशालिनीम् ।

अदृष्टपूर्वां पश्यन्ती रामं पप्रच्छ साऽबला ॥३०॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.55.30

Transliteration

ekaikaṁ pādapaṁ gulmaṁ latāṁ vā puṣpaśālinīm |

adṛṣṭapūrvāṁ paśyantī rāmaṁ papraccha sā 'balā ||30||

Translation

वो सीता हर एक पेड़ देख रही थी, झाड़ियाँ और फूलों वाली बेलें। वो सब चीज़ें पहली बार देख रही थी। इसलिए वो राम से बार-बार पूछती रहती थी कि यह क्या है।

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Word by Word

• एकैकम्: one by one
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एक-एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial), पुनरुक्त-अव्ययीभावः; अर्थे: one by one
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Compound: Avyayibhava

• पादपम्: a tree
• Type: Noun
• Root: पादप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• गुल्मम्: a shrub/bush
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुल्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• लताम्: a creeper
• Type: Noun
• Root: लता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• वा: or
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात (disjunctive particle: or)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)

• पुष्पशालिनीम्: flowering; possessing flowers
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुष्प-शालिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying the seen plant)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• अदृष्टपूर्वाम्: never seen before
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-दृष्ट-पूर्वा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम्
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• पश्यन्ती: seeing
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्तः (शतृ-प्रत्यय/वर्तमान-कर्तरि कृदन्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘seeing’
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• रामम्: to Rama
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन
• Role: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)

• पप्रच्छ: asked
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• सा: she
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• अबला: gentle/helpless woman
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-बला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of सा)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

Sandhi Notes

• सा'बला = सा + अबला
• Verse lists multiple objects in accusative governed by पश्यन्ती (seeing) and contextually by एकैकम् (one by one)

Context

That gentle lady enquired of Rama about a tree or a shrub or a creeper in full bloom which she did not see before.

The teaching

Wonder and inquiry refine the mind; even exile becomes a classroom when approached with openness.

Ethical theme

Cultivation of awareness / sāttvika living

For your practice

Supports mindful seeing (smṛti) and contemplative appreciation of creation; transforms travel into japa-like attentiveness.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shringara (love)

Mood

Curious, fresh, delighted

Themes

• Itihasa
• Nature
• Maryada
• Companionship

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma as mindful living: even in exile, Sītā’s attentive engagement with nature reflects a disciplined, appreciative mind rather than bitterness.

What is the narrative situation?

While traveling through the forest, Sītā notices unfamiliar flowering plants and asks Rama to identify or explain them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s curiosity and serenity, and the couple’s gentle companionship amid hardship.