Valmiki Ramayana 2.19.38 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 38

एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency

Devanagari script

वाचा मधुरया रामस्सर्वं सम्मानयञ्जनम्।मातुस्समीपं धीरात्मा प्रविवेश महायशाः।।2.19.38।।

Transliteration

vācā madhurayā rāmaḥ sarvaṃ sammānayan janam | mātuḥ samīpaṃ dhīrātmā praviveśa mahāyaśāḥ || 2.19.38 ||

Translation

ラーマは甘美な言葉で人々をことごとく敬い、堅き心を持つ大いなる名声の人として、母の御前へと入っていった。

Word by Word

• वाचा: with speech/words
• वाचा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), एकवचन

• मधुरया: sweet
• मधुरया: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण of वाचा

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: all (everyone)
• सर्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; object-qualifier with जनम् (collective sense)

• सम्मानयन्: honouring
• सम्मानयन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-mān (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; agrees with रामः

• जनम्: people
• जनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• मातुः: of (his) mother
• मातुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/genitive), एकवचन

• समीपम्: near presence
• समीपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samīpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; destination

• धीरात्मा: the firm-minded one
• धीरात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhīra + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: "धीरः आत्मा यस्य सः"

• प्रविवेश: entered
• प्रविवेश: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-viś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• महायशाः: the illustrious one
• महायशाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + yaśas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: "महद् यशो यस्य सः"

Context

Firm-minded and illustrious Rama treated all people with sweet words and approached his mother.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rāma’s mother (Kauśalyā)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as maryādā—courteous, respectful conduct: Rāma honors others with gentle speech and approaches his mother with propriety.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma returns and moves toward his mother’s chambers, maintaining calm dignity and respectful dealings with everyone he meets.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control and courtesy (dhairya and vinaya): even under pressure, Rāma remains steady-minded and respectful.