Valmiki Ramayana 2.33.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 2

त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः · Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha

Setting: Ayodhya palace/royal residence (pre-departure preparation)Places named: Ayodhya (implied)Arming and ritual-like preparation for forest exile

Devanagari script

ततो गृहीते दुष्प्रेक्षे त्वशोभेतां तदायुधे ।

मालादामभिराबद्धे सीतया समलङ्कृते ॥२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.33.2

Transliteration

tato gṛhīte duṣprekṣe tv aśobhetāṃ tad āyudhe |

mālā-dāmabhir ābaddhe sītayā samalaṅkṛte ||2||

Translation

അപ്പോൾ കൈയിലെടുത്ത ആ ദുഷ്പ്രേക്ഷ്യമായ ദീപ്തിമാനായ ഇരുവായുധങ്ങളും കൂടുതൽ ശോഭിച്ചു—സീത മാലകളും പുഷ്പദാമങ്ങളും കെട്ടി അലങ്കരിച്ചതിനാൽ.

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Word by Word

• ततः: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: पञ्चमी-प्रयोगवत् अव्यय (adverb) अर्थः ‘then/thereafter’
• Role: कालाधिकरण (time)

• गृहीते: (the two) having been held/taken up
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ग्रह् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; तदायुधे इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम् (‘when/being held’)
• Role: अवस्था/विशेषण (state qualifier)

• दुष्प्रेक्षे: dazzling, hard to gaze at
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष् + प्रेक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषणम् तदायुधयोः; समासः कर्मधारयः (‘hard to look at’ = dazzling)
• Role: विशेषण (qualifier)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• तु: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)
• Role: सम्बन्ध (particle)

• अशोभेताम्: the two shone
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शुभ् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; अर्थः ‘shone/appeared beautiful’
• Role: क्रिया (main verb)

• तदायुधे: those two weapons
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘his/their weapons’); विशेष्यं गृहीते/दुष्प्रेक्षे/आबद्धे/समलङ्कृते
• Role: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• मालादामभिः: with garlands and wreaths
• Type: Noun
• Root: माला + दामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण; द्वन्द्वः (‘garlands and wreath-strings’)
• Role: करण (Instrument)
• Compound: Dvandva

• आबद्धे: bound/fastened
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-√बन्ध् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; तदायुधे इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्
• Role: विशेषण (qualifier)

• सीतया: by Sita
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृ-करणभावे (agent in passive/PPP context)
• Role: कर्ता/करण (agent of adorning)

• समलङ्कृते: decorated/ornamented
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-√अलङ्कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; तदायुधे इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्
• Role: विशेषण (qualifier)

Sandhi Notes

• त्वशोभेताम् = तु + अशोभेताम्
• तदायुधे = तत् + आयुधे (समास)

Context

The pair of dazzling weapons held (by Rama and Lakshmana) looked splendid decorated with flower garlands by Sita.

The teaching

Even instruments of force can be held within auspiciousness and restraint when guided by dharma and love.

Ethical theme

Right use of power

For your practice

Invites contemplation of śrī (auspicious grace) accompanying dhārmika action; supports bhāva of reverent preparation before difficult duties.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shringara (love), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Radiant, tender, ceremonial

Themes

• Dharma
• Maryada
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā
• āyudha (weapons)
• garlands (mālā, dāma)

FAQs

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

It highlights dhārmic readiness: sacred duty is approached with reverence and restraint, symbolized by weapons being taken up not for aggression but for righteous protection.

What is the narrative situation?

As preparations for departure unfold, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa take up their weapons, and Sītā adorns them with garlands.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s devoted partnership and auspicious care—she supports the dhārmic path through loving, culturally meaningful gestures.