Valmiki Ramayana 2.49.14: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 14

एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address

Setting: On the road leaving AyodhyaEarly departure by chariot

Devanagari script

सूत इत्येव चाभाष्य सारथिं तमभीक्ष्णशः ।

हंसमत्तस्वरश्श्रीमानुवाच पुरुषर्षभः ॥१४॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.49.14

Transliteration

sūta ity eva cābhāṣya sārathiṁ tam abhīkṣṇaśaḥ |

haṁsamattasvaraḥ śrīmān uvāca puruṣarṣabhaḥ ||14||

Translation

彼はただ「御者よ」とのみ繰り返しその馭者に呼びかけ、やがて、声が酔える白鳥のような、輝ける人中の雄が語り始めた。

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• सूत: O charioteer
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन; एकवचन
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)

• इति: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरणसूचक (quotative)
• Role: Quotation marker (इति)

• एव: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक
• Role: Emphasis (अवधारण)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक
• Role: Connector (समुच्चय)

• आभाष्य: having addressed
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-भाष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (gerund)
• Role: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)

• सारथिम्: charioteer
• Type: Noun
• Root: सारथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• तम्: that (him)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; विशेषण सारथिम्
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)

• अभीक्ष्णशः: repeatedly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अभीक्ष्णशस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण
• Role: Manner (रीति)

• हंसमत्तस्वरः: with swan-like voice
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हंस + मत्त + स्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; विशेषण
• Role: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• श्रीमान्: splendid
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; विशेषण
• Role: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)

• उवाच: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्; परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• पुरुषर्षभः: best of men
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

Sandhi Notes

• Same sandhi as previous verse
• this entry is a repetition in the provided input

Context

Graceful Rama, best among men with a voice resembling that of an intoxicated swan, called the charioteer again and again and said:

The teaching

Even in crisis, the leader’s speech remains measured; authority is exercised without harshness.

Ethical theme

Sadācāra/ācāra

For your practice

Practice of mindful speech (vāg-yama) and composure while giving necessary instructions.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Karuna (compassion), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Restrained, heavy-hearted, dignified

Themes

• Dharma
• Itihasa
• Dialogue Setup
• Maryada
• Speech Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• charioteer (sūta/sārathi)

FAQs

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

Dharma in communication: Rama’s respectful address to his charioteer models dignified speech and proper conduct toward attendants, consistent with maryādā (propriety).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration transitions into Rama’s spoken reflection; he repeatedly calls to the charioteer to speak.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gentleness and courtesy—Rama’s manner of speech is portrayed as sweet and controlled.