Valmiki Ramayana 2.83.4: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 83, Shloka 4

अयोध्याकाण्डे त्र्यशीति तमः सर्गः · Bharata’s Departure and Encampment on the Gaṅgā

Śṛṅgīberapura

Places named: AyodhyaDeparture march toward Rama; armed protection accompanying Bharata

Devanagari script

षष्टी रथसहस्राणि धन्विनो विविधायुधाः ।

अन्वयुर्भरतं यान्तं राजपुत्रं यशस्विनम् ॥४॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.83.4

Transliteration

ṣaṣṭī rathasahasrāṇi dhanvino vividhāyudhāḥ |

anvayur bharataṃ yāntaṃ rājaputraṃ yaśasvinam ||4||

Translation

六万の戦車が、さまざまな武器を携えた弓兵とともに、進みゆくバラタ――名高き王子――に従った。

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Word by Word

• ṣaṣṭiḥ: sixty
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine numeral noun, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); used as quantifier of rathasahasrāṇi
• Role: Saṅkhyā (संख्या/परिमाण)

• ratha: chariot
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine stem used as compound-member (समासाङ्ग)
• Role: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)

• sahasrāṇi: thousands
• Type: Noun
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); in tatpuruṣa ratha-sahasrāṇi = 'thousands of chariots'
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• dhanvinaḥ: archers
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• vividhāyudhāḥ: men with various weapons
• Type: Noun
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); karmadhāraya: 'having various weapons'
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• anvayuḥ: followed
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu + i (इ धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, aorist), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• bharatam: Bharata
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• yāntam: going
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yā (या धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle, Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifies bharatam
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• rājaputram: prince
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'king's son'
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• yaśasvinam: illustrious
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yaśasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; qualifies bharatam/rājaputram
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

Sandhi Notes

• रथसहस्राणि = ratha + sahasrāṇi
• विविधायुधाः = vividha + āyudhāḥ (karmadhāraya)
• अन्वयुः = anu + i (aorist)

Context

Sixty thousands chariots and many archers holding weapons of every kind followed the illustrious prince Bharata as he went.

The teaching

Strength and arms are dharmic when subordinated to protection and rightful purpose, not personal ambition.

Ethical theme

Kṣātra-dharma

For your practice

Encourages channeling power under restraint and right intention; tapas as disciplined force.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Martial, resolute, processional

Themes

• Dharma
• Rājadharma
• Statecraft
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• chariots
• archers

FAQs

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

Protective kingship: the organized military accompaniment reflects the dharmic duty to safeguard the prince and maintain public order during a sensitive succession crisis.

What is the narrative situation?

The poem enumerates the military scale accompanying Bharata on his journey to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s recognized stature (yaśas) and the kingdom’s disciplined loyalty expressed through orderly support.