Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.21 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 21

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

पतिसम्मानिता सीता भर्तारमसितेक्षणा।आद्वारमनुवव्राज मङ्गलान्यभिदध्युषी।।।।

Transliteration

patisammānitā sītā bhartāram asitekṣaṇā |

ādvāram anuvavrāja maṅgalāny abhidadhyuṣī || 2.16.21 ||

Translation

ഭർത്താവിന്റെ ആദരത്തിൽ മഹിമപ്പെട്ട കറുത്തകണ്ണുകളുള്ള സീത ഭർത്താവിനെ വാതിൽവരെ അനുഗമിച്ചു; മംഗളകരമായ സംഭവങ്ങളെ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ ധ്യാനിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• pati-sammānitā: honored by (her) husband
• pati-sammānitā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pati (प्रातिपदिक) + sammānita (√mān + sam-; क्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: pateḥ sammānitā = honored by husband

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

• bhartāram: husband
• bhartāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana

• asitekṣaṇā: dark-eyed
• asitekṣaṇā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asita (प्रातिपदिक) + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: asitāni īkṣaṇāni yasyāḥ (dark-eyed)

• ā-dvāram: up to the door
• ā-dvāram: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dvāra (प्रातिपदिक) with ā- (उपसर्गवत्)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: ā + dvāram; used adverbially = up to the door/entrance

• anuvavrāja: followed/went after
• anuvavrāja: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu- + √vraj (व्रज्) (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्) Imperfect, Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa Ekavacana

• maṅgalāni: auspicious things
• maṅgalāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṅgala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā Bahuvacana

• abhidadhyuṣī: reflecting/thinking upon
• abhidadhyuṣī: Karta (कर्ता) (participial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi- + √dhā (धा) (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/शतृँ), Strīliṅga Prathamā Ekavacana; 'thinking/reflecting'

Context

Reflecting over the auspicious event, the darkeyed Sita who is highly esteemed by her husband, followed him up to the entrance, (saying):

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• dvāra (doorway/entrance)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as maryādā in household life: affectionate propriety, honoring one’s spouse, and maintaining auspicious-mindedness during significant transitions.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma departs to meet the king, Sītā accompanies him to the threshold, thinking of the auspicious implications of what is about to occur.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s devotion and auspicious attentiveness—supportive presence coupled with thoughtful reflection.