Valmiki Ramayana 2.25.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 17

कौशल्याया मङ्गलविधानम्

Kausalya’s Benedictions and Protective Rites for Rama

Devanagari script

राक्षसानां पिशाचानां रौद्राणां क्रूरकर्मणाम्।क्रव्यादानां च सर्वेषां मा भूत्पुत्रक ते भयम्।।2.25.17।।

Transliteration

rākṣasānāṃ piśācānāṃ raudrāṇāṃ krūra-karmaṇām |

kravyādānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ mā bhūt putraka te bhayam || 2.25.17 ||

Translation

മകനേ, രാക്ഷസന്മാർ, പിശാചുകൾ, ഭീകരരും ക്രൂരകർമ്മികളും, എല്ലാ ക്രവ്യാദന്മാരും—ഇവരിൽ നിന്നൊന്നും നിന്നെ ഭയം പിടിക്കാതിരിക്കട്ടെ.

Word by Word

• rākṣasānām: of rākṣasas
• rākṣasānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Bahuvacana

• piśācānām: of piśācas
• piśācānām: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: piśāca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Bahuvacana

• raudrāṇām: of the fierce
• raudrāṇām: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: raudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Bahuvacana; adjective qualifying the groups

• krūra-karmaṇām: of those of cruel deeds
• krūra-karmaṇām: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krūra (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Bahuvacana; Bahuvrīhi: 'those whose deeds are cruel'

• kravyādānām: of flesh-eaters
• kravyādānām: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: kravya (प्रातिपदिक) + ada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Bahuvacana; Tatpuruṣa: 'flesh-eaters'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Sambandha
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃ/Napuṃ, Ṣaṣṭhī Bahuvacana; 'of all'

• mā: may not
• mā: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mā (अव्यय)
• Form: Pratiṣedha-nipāta (प्रतिषेध) prohibitive particle used with loṭ/luṅ/vidhi

• bhūt: be (occur)
• bhūt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ-lakāra (लुङ्, aorist) 3rd person singular; used with mā = prohibitive: 'let there not be'

• putraka: O dear child
• putraka: Sambodhana
• Type: Noun
• Root: putraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana Ekavacana

• te: for you
• te: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Caturthī Ekavacana (dative) 'to you/for you'

• bhayam: fear
• bhayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā Ekavacana; subject of bhūt

Context

Let there be no fear from rakshasas who are fearful to look at and commit cruel acts, from pisachas (evil spirits) and from flesh-eating animals, O my child!

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasa
• Piśāca

FAQs

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

Dharma is linked with abhaya (fearlessness): one who stands in truth and duty is envisioned as protected against forces of chaos and cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

The blessing turns practical—seeking freedom from terror posed by malevolent beings and predators in the wilderness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage grounded in righteousness: fear is countered not merely by strength, but by steadfast moral purpose.