Valmiki Ramayana 2.96.7: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 96, Shloka 7
चित्रकूटे सैन्यधूलिशब्ददर्शनम्
Alarm at Chitrakūṭa: Lakṣmaṇa sights the approaching army
Spoken by Rama to LakṣmaṇaSetting: Daṇḍakāraṇya (great forest region during exile)Forest-wandering during exile; reacting to an approaching disturbance
हन्त लक्ष्मण पश्येह सुमित्रासुप्रजास्त्वया ।
भीमस्तनितगम्भीरस्तुमुलः श्रूयते स्वनः ॥७॥
hanta lakṣmaṇa paśyeha sumitrā-suprajas tvayā |
bhīma-stanita-gambhīras tumulaḥ śrūyate svanaḥ ||7||
राघव ने कहा, अरे लक्ष्मण यहाँ देख। सुमित्रा को तू बेटे के रूप में मिला है। बहुत बड़ा शोर सुनाई दे रहा है। ऐसा लग रहा है जैसे बिजली चमकी हो।
Sandhi Notes
- पश्येह = पश्य + इह
- सुमित्रासुप्रजाः = सुमित्रा + सुप्रजाः
- भीमस्तनितगम्भीरः = भीम + स्तनित + गम्भीरः (समास)
O Lakshmana, the worthy son of Sumitra, fearful and tumultuous clamour like rumbling sound of clouds is heard. What a wonder! Go and see.
The teaching
The protector remains vigilant; discernment begins with attentive listening to signs before action.
- Ethical theme
- Kṣātra-dharma (vigilance and protection)
For your practice
Cultivates smṛti (alert mindfulness) and readiness to protect the vulnerable; useful for contemplative reflection on vigilance.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Bhayanaka (fear), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Ominous, alert, thunderous
Themes
- Dharma
- Maryada
- Itihasa
Śabda as a pointer to unseen cause; the mind infers the unmanifest from manifest vibration (nāda).
Nāda/śabda motif reminiscent of the primacy of sound as indicator of reality (e.g., oṃ as śabda-brahman theme, broadly).
Thunder-like deep tumultuous sound heard (bheema-stanita-gambhīra svana).
- Rama and Lakshmana
- Elder brother to younger brother command and affection (supportive)
- Lakshmana and Sumitra
- Mother to son praise of upbringing (reverential)
- Rama and Sumitra
- In-law_respect_and_acknowledgment_of_virtue (respectful)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇyakāṇḍa: frequent use of ominous forest sounds preceding encounters (general parallel motif); Mahābhārata, Vana-parvan: portents and sounds in the forest preceding danger (motif-level parallel)
Vedic omen-reading traditions (nimitta-śāstra motif)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: repeated address "Saumitre" and reliance on Lakṣmaṇa for reconnaissance (motif-level)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Commanding
Udātta-heavy with emphatic cadence on "भीमस्तनितगम्भीर"
FAQs
Dharma is expressed as steady awareness and respectful speech: Rama acknowledges Lakshmana’s worth while urging attentive investigation rather than reckless action.
Rama describes the ominous, thunder-like roar and prompts Lakshmana to look and assess.
Composure and encouraging counsel (Rama’s measured guidance).
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