Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.95 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 95

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

अवश्यं रक्षणं कार्यमदृष्टे विजने वने।अग्रतो गच्छ सौमित्रे सीता त्वामनुगच्छतु।।.2.52.95।।

Transliteration

avaśyaṃ rakṣaṇaṃ kāryam adṛṣṭe vijane vane | agrato gaccha saumitre sītā tvām anugacchatu || 2.52.95 ||

Translation

この人なき森、見知らぬ見えぬ地においては、必ず守りを立てねばならぬ。スミトラーの子よ、汝は先に行け。シーターは汝に従って歩め。

Word by Word

• avaśyam: certainly
• avaśyam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: avaśya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Niścaya-avyaya (निश्चय/necessarily)

• rakṣaṇam: protection
• rakṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म; with kāryam: 'protection is to be done')
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• kāryam: must be done
• kāryam: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण/Predicative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक; from √kṛ)
• Form: Kṛtya (कृत्य/gerundive), Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'to be done'

• adṛṣṭe: in unseen (places)
• adṛṣṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Condition-location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-dṛṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana; locative absolute sense with vijane vane: 'when/where unseen'

• vijane: lonely
• vijane: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vijana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana; qualifies vane

• vane: in the forest
• vane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• agrataḥ: in front
• agrataḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: agratas (अव्यय)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya (देश/locative adverb 'in front')

• gaccha: go
• gaccha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative), Madhyama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

• saumitre: O son of Sumitra (Lakshmana)
• saumitre: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

• sītā: Sita
• sītā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject of anugacchatu)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• anugacchatu: may follow
• anugacchatu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/benedictive sense), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

Context

In this desolate forest which we had never seen before we must certainly be concerned about our protection. O Lakshmana , let Sita follow you!

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitrī)
• Sītā
• forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Responsible guardianship: dharma includes arranging conduct and movement to minimize harm—especially when circumstances are unknown.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma sets a protective walking order as they proceed into an unfamiliar, solitary forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s role as protector and Sītā’s safeguarded dignity, guided by Rāma’s careful judgment.