Valmiki Ramayana 2.119.21 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 119, Shloka 21

अनसूयाप्रीतिदानम्

Anasūyā’s Blessing and the Forest Path

Devanagari script

एष पन्था महर्षीणां फलान्याहरतां वने।अनेन तु वनं दुर्गं गन्तुं राघव ते क्षमम्।।।।

Transliteration

eṣa panthā maharṣīṇāṃ phalāny āharatāṃ vane |

anena tu vanaṃ durgaṃ gantuṃ rāghava te kṣamam ||

Translation

ഹേ രാഘവാ, വനത്തിൽ ഫലങ്ങൾ ശേഖരിക്കാൻ പോകുന്ന മഹർഷിമാർ ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന പാത ഇതുതന്നെ; ഈ വഴിയിലൂടെ ഈ ദുര്‍ഗ്ഗമവും ഭയങ്കരവുമായ കാട്ടിനെ നീ നിർഭയമായി കടക്കാൻ കഴിയും.

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this
• eṣaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• panthāḥ: path
• panthāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathin/panthan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• maharṣīṇām: of great sages
• maharṣīṇām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maharṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• phalāni: fruits
• phalāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• āharatām: of those gathering
• āharatām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), षष्ठी, बहुवचन; 'of those who are bringing/gathering'

• vane: in the forest
• vane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• anena: by this (way)
• anena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; instrumental 'by/through this'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Avadhāraṇa (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

• vanam: forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• durgam: difficult/impassable
• durgam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; agrees with vanam

• gantum: to go
• gantum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्यय (infinitive), अव्यय-प्रयोग; 'to go'

• rāghava: O Raghava
• rāghava: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• te: for you/of you
• te: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; enclitic form

• kṣamam: safe/possible
• kṣamam: Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (प्रधानविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicate adjective with implied 'asti'

Context

The sages also are returning in groups with water-pitchers filled with water and their bark robes soaked with water after their ceremonial bath.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rama)
• Maharṣis
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes accepting wise guidance: choosing a proven, righteous path (used by seers) over reckless self-will, especially when others’ safety is involved.

What is the narrative situation?

After warning of dangers, the ascetics indicate the established route they themselves use for gathering fruits, advising Rama to take it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and prudence—Rama’s willingness to proceed with care and heed the counsel of the dharmic community.