Valmiki Ramayana 2.58.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 58, Shloka 13

अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 58)

Daśaratha Questions Sumantra; Messages from the Forest Threshold

Devanagari script

इति सूतो नरेन्द्रेण बोधित स्सज्जमानया।उवाच वाचा राजानं स बाष्पपरिबद्धया।।।।

Transliteration

iti sūto narendreṇa bodhitaḥ sajjamānayā |

uvāca vācā rājānaṁ sa bāṣpa-paribaddhayā ||

Translation

王にそう問いただされると、御者は答えた。言葉はつかえ、声は涙に塞がれていた。

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyopasaṃhāra (वाक्योपसंहार/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; quotative particle (‘thus’)

• sūtaḥ: the charioteer
• sūtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• narendreṇa: by the king
• narendreṇa: Karaṇa/Agent (करण; agent of bodhitaḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: narendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instr/3rd), Ekavacana

• bodhitaḥ: questioned/instructed
• bodhitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √budh (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Kta (PPP, passive sense ‘made to know/asked’); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate of sūtaḥ

• sajjamānayā: with faltering (voice)
• sajjamānayā: Karaṇa (करण; manner/means via voice)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sajjamāna (कृदन्त/Śatṛ of √sajj)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Śatṛ (present participle) used adjectivally; Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of vācā

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• vācā: with (his) voice/words
• vācā: Karaṇa (करण/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instr/3rd), Ekavacana

• rājānam: to the king
• rājānam: Sampradāna/Karma (सम्प्रदान; addressee as object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• bāṣpa-paribaddhayā: choked with tears
• bāṣpa-paribaddhayā: Karaṇa (करण; manner/means via voice)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bāṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + paribaddha (कृदन्त/PPP of pari-√bandh)
• Form: Samāsa: tatpuruṣa (‘bound/choked by tears’); Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of vācā

Context

With palms folded and head bowed, O great king Rama offered his salutations to you in confirmity with righteousness and said to me:

Characters & Entities

• Sūta (charioteer)
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as compassionate truth-telling: even when grief overwhelms speech, one must convey what is asked faithfully, with empathy.

What is the narrative situation?

After Daśaratha’s questions about Rāma, the charioteer begins his account, but is emotionally overcome.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The charioteer’s sincerity and compassion are emphasized—his tears show genuine participation in the king’s sorrow.