Valmiki Ramayana 2.5.1 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 1

अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः

Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined

Devanagari script

सन्दिश्य रामं नृपति श्श्वोभाविन्यभिषेचने।पुरोहितं समाहूय वशिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

sandiśya rāmaṃ nṛpatiḥ śvo-bhāviny abhiṣecane |

purohitaṃ samāhūya vaśiṣṭham idam abravīt ||

Translation

翌日の灌頂（即位の聖礼）についてラーマに指示を与えたのち、王は家付きの祭司ヴァシシュタを召し、次のように語った。

Word by Word

• sandiśya: having instructed
• sandiśya: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + diś (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/य-प्रत्यय), from √sam-diś (सन्दिश्), ‘having instructed/ordered’

• rāmam: Rama
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular

• nṛpatiḥ: the king
• nṛpatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular

• śvaḥ: tomorrow; on the next day
• śvaḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śvaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of time (काल-अव्यय)

• bhāvini: about to occur
• bhāvini: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective (विशेषण), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी) Singular; agrees with ‘abhiṣecane’

• abhiṣecane: in/with regard to the coronation
• abhiṣecane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhiṣecana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी) Singular; topic/occasion

• purohitam: the priest
• purohitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purohita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular

• samāhūya: having summoned
• samāhūya: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + ā + hū (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/य-प्रत्यय), from √sam-ā-hū (समाहू), ‘having summoned’

• vaśiṣṭham: Vasistha
• vaśiṣṭham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaśiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Neuter, Accusative Singular; object of speech

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: Verb, Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person Singular, Parasmaipada; from √brū (ब्रू)

Context

The king having instructed Rama summoned Vasistha, the priest and spoke to him about the coronation that was to take place on the following day

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Vasiṣṭha
• abhiṣeka (coronation)

FAQs

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

It reflects rājadharma conducted through proper counsel and ritual order: royal transitions should be undertaken lawfully with guidance from the guru and priestly tradition.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha begins formal preparations for Rāma’s coronation the next day and calls Vasiṣṭha to coordinate the rite.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s concern for procedural propriety—seeking the priest’s involvement—shows respect for tradition and institutional dharma.