Valmiki Ramayana 2.88.20: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 88, Shloka 20

रामशय्यादर्शनम् · Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed

Spoken by BharataSetting: Chitrakuta region (context of Bharata’s meeting/search)Reflection during Bharata’s approach to Rama

Devanagari script

धन्यः खलु महाभागो लक्ष्मण श्शुभलक्षणः ।

भ्रातरं विषमे काले यो राममनुवर्तते ॥२०॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.88.20

Transliteration

dhanyaḥ khalu mahābhāgo lakṣmaṇaḥ śubhalakṣaṇaḥ |

bhrātaraṃ viṣame kāle yo rāmam anuvartate ||20||

Translation

लक्ष्मण बहुत खुशनसीब है। उसके चेहरे पर अच्छी बातें साफ दिखती हैं। जब बुरा वक़्त आया, तब भी वो अपने भाई रघुकुल के पीछे-पीछे चला गया। अकेला नहीं छोड़ा।

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Word by Word

• धन्यः: fortunate
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण
• Role: कर्तृ-विशेषण

• खलु: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: खलु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)
• Role: सम्बन्ध/निपात (emphasis)

• महाभागः: highly fortunate / noble
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण
• Role: कर्तृ-विशेषण
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• लक्ष्मणः: Lakṣmaṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)

• शुभ-लक्षणः: of auspicious qualities
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (one with auspicious marks)
• Role: कर्तृ-विशेषण
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• भ्रातरम्: (his) brother
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन
• Role: कर्म (Object/कर्म)

• विषमे: in adverse
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुं, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषण (locative agreeing with काले)
• Role: अधिकरण-विशेषण

• काले: time
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण
• Role: अधिकरण (Locative)

• यः: who
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बन्धक (relative pronoun)
• Role: कर्ता (relative subject)

• रामम्: Rāma
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: कर्म

• अनुवर्तते: follows / accompanies
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद
• Role: क्रिया (action)

Sandhi Notes

• महाभागो → महाभागः
• लक्ष्मण श्शुभलक्षणः → लक्ष्मणः शुभलक्षणः
• भ्रातरं (anusvāra before consonant) retained
• राममनुवर्तते → रामम् अनुवर्तते

Context

Surely Lakshmana of great merit and auspicious virtues is fortunate since he is accompanying his brother Rama in times of adversity.

The teaching

In adversity, dharma is upheld through loyal companionship and selfless service to the righteous.

Ethical theme

Bhrātṛ-dharma and sevā-dharma

Devotion and practice

Model for dāsya-bhakti: serving the Lord/ideal person unwaveringly in hardship.

Deity praised

Rama (implicitly, through praise of his devotee)

Form of praise

Stuti (a hymn of praise)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Karuna (compassion)

Mood

Steadfast, admiring, resolute

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Bhrātṛ-dharma
• Loyalty
• Maryādā
• Itihāsa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Bhrātṛ-dharma—steadfast duty to one’s brother—shown through loyal accompaniment during hardship rather than comfort-seeking.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma has gone to the forest due to exile; the speaker reflects on Lakṣmaṇa’s choice to accompany him in adversity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s fidelity and courage: unwavering support of Rāma when circumstances become perilous.