Valmiki Ramayana 2.36.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 3

अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः · Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent

Spoken by DasharathaSetting: Ayodhyā (processional streets near palace)Pre-departure ceremonial procession

Devanagari script

रूपाजीवाश्च वादिन्यो वणिजश्च महाधनाः ।

शोभयन्तु कुमारस्य वाहिनीं सुप्रसारिताः ॥३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.36.3

Transliteration

rūpājīvāś ca vādinyo vaṇijaś ca mahādhanāḥ |

śobhayantu kumārasya vāhinīṃ suprasāritāḥ ||3||

Translation

美貌を糧とする遊女、甘き言葉を語る女たち、そして品をよく並べた富裕な商人らが、整然と広がる王子の行列を華やかにせよ。

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Word by Word

• rūpa-jīvāḥ: women who live by beauty (courtesans)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + jīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: rūpeṇa jīvanti iti; Strīliṅga (context: courtesans), Nominative (1st), Plural (बहुवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/subject of śobhayantu)
• Compound: Bahuvrihi

• ca: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• vādinyaḥ: female singers / sweet-tongued women
• Type: Noun
• Root: vādinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Nominative, Plural; 'female singers/speakers'
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• vaṇijaḥ: merchants
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṇij (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Nominative, Plural
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• ca: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• mahā-dhanāḥ: very wealthy
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: mahad dhanaṃ yeṣām; Puṃliṅga, Nominative, Plural; qualifies vaṇijaḥ (and/or others)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/qualifier)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• śobhayantu: let them adorn
• Type: Verb
• Root: śubh (धातु)
• Form: Causative (णिच्) from √śubh; Imperative (लोट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• kumārasya: of the prince
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Genitive (6th), Singular
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• vāhinīm: the army/retinue
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāhinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Accusative (2nd), Singular
• Role: Karma (कर्म/object)

• su-prasāritāḥ: well spread out (wares/display)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + prasārita (सृ धातु-कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त) from pra+√sṛ/√sāṛ? (prasārayati causative; prasārita 'spread out'); with su-; Nominative, Plural; agrees with subjects
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/qualifier)

Sandhi Notes

• rūpājīvāśca = rūpa-jīvāḥ + ca
• vaṇijaśca = vaṇijaḥ + ca

Context

Let the sweet-tongued courtesans, opulent merchants with well spread-out merchandise make the army of my son graceful.

The teaching

Public rites and civic participation manifest rājya-śrī and social cohesion when aligned with rightful succession.

Ethical theme

Rājadharma / social order

For your practice

Mindfulness of prosperity as service and order rather than mere display; gratitude practice.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shringara (love)

Mood

Festive, resplendent, public

Themes

• Royal protocol
• Social order
• Itihasa
• Public ceremony

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Courtesans (Rūpājīvāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as rājadhrama—maintaining public order and auspicious social arrangements around a prince’s public movement.

What is the narrative situation?

Instructions are given for arranging a splendid public entourage for the prince, involving various social groups and commerce.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Administrative competence and attention to public ceremony—organizing society’s roles to support the royal household.