Valmiki Ramayana 2.4.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 17

अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः

Rāma Summoned; Pushya Coronation Decision

Devanagari script

अपि चाद्याऽशुभान्राम स्वप्ने पश्यामि दारुणान्।सनिर्घाता दिवोल्का च पततीह महास्वना।।2.4.17।।

Transliteration

api cādyāśubhān rāma svapne paśyāmi dāruṇān | sanirghātā divolkā ca patatīha mahāsvanā || 2.4.17 ||

Translation

さらに、ラーマよ、近ごろ我は夢において恐ろしき不吉の徴を見、しかも昼なお同じだ。雷鳴とともに流星がここに落ち、大いなる響きを立てる。

Word by Word

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-अव्यय (also)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• adya: today
• adya: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय

• aśubhān: inauspicious
• aśubhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of dāruṇān / nimittān understood)

• rāma: O Rama
• rāma: Sambodhana (सम्बोधनम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• svapne: in a dream
• svapne: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svapna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन

• paśyāmi: I see
• paśyāmi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• dāruṇān: terrible / dreadful
• dāruṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dāruṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• sa-nirghātā: accompanied by thunder
• sa-nirghātā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय) + nirghāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव (with-): 'with thunder'; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (of ulkā)

• divā: by day
• divā: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: divā (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (by day / in daytime)

• ulkā: meteor / fireball
• ulkā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ulkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• patati: falls
• patati: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pat (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: देश-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• mahā-svanā: with a great sound
• mahā-svanā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + svana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (great-sounding), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (of ulkā)

Context

Moreover Rama, these days I see frightening and ominous events in dreams during day time. I see meteors accompanied by thunders falling, generating great sounds.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• ulkā (meteor)

FAQs

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

Prudence within dharma: a ruler must remain vigilant to signs of instability and act responsibly, without abandoning truthfulness about dangers.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha explains to Rāma that troubling omens and dreams are appearing, strengthening his urgency about the impending consecration.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s forethought and protective concern for the kingdom and for Rāma.