Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 82, Shloka 20

भरतस्य धर्मप्रतिज्ञा तथा रामनिवर्तनयात्रा

Bharata’s Vow of Dharma and the Expedition to Recall Rama

Devanagari script

विष्टिकर्मान्तिका स्सर्वे मार्गशोधकरक्षकाः।प्रस्थापिता मया पूर्वं यत्रापि मम रोचते।।।।

Transliteration

viṣṭi-karmāntikāḥ sarve mārga-śodhaka-rakṣakāḥ |

prasthāpitā mayā pūrvaṁ yatrāpi mama rocate ||

Translation

私はすでに、道を探り守るための斥候と街道の護衛をすべて先に遣わした――徴発された者も雇われた者も――この旅がどこへ向かおうとも、路を捜し、守らせるために。

Word by Word

• viṣṭi-karmāntikāḥ: forced-labourers and hired workers
• viṣṭi-karmāntikāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक) + karmāntika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) 'viṣṭi and karmāntika'; Puṃliṅga, Nominative (1st), Plural; denotes two classes of workers

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Nominative, Plural; qualifying the workers

• mārga-śodhaka-rakṣakāḥ: path-clearers and guards
• mārga-śodhaka-rakṣakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + śodhaka (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + rakṣaka (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) 'path-clearers and protectors'; Puṃliṅga, Nominative, Plural; apposition to viṣṭikarmāntikāḥ

• prasthāpitāḥ: were dispatched
• prasthāpitāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + sthā (धातु) + ṇic (णिच्) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त) of causative 'to send forth'; Puṃliṅga, Nominative, Plural; predicate of subject

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Kartr̥ (कर्ता—agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Instrumental (3rd), Singular

• pūrvam: previously
• pūrvam: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• yatra: where
• yatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Relative adverb (देशवाचक-अव्यय)

• api: also/even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• mama: to me/of me
• mama: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Genitive (6th), Singular

• rocate: pleases
• rocate: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ruc (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular; Ātmanepada; impersonal usage 'it pleases'

Context

I have already despatched the explorers and protectors of roads who work for wages and without wages as well. It also pleases me to undertake this journey.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata

FAQs

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

Dharma as responsible governance: ensuring safety and order through prior planning—securing roads and arranging logistics before undertaking a public mission.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata explains that advance personnel have been dispatched to scout and secure the route for the expedition connected with his intended journey.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s foresight and administrative competence—careful preparation rather than impulsive action.