Valmiki Ramayana 2.45.12 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 12

अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः

The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile

Devanagari script

बाष्पेण पिहितं दीनं रामः सौमित्रिणा सह।चकर्षेव गुणैर्बद्ध्वा जनं पुरनिवासिनम्।।।।

Transliteration

bāṣpeṇa pihitaṃ dīnaṃ rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha |

cakarṣeva guṇair baddhvā janaṃ puranivāsinam ||

Translation

സൗമിത്രിയായ ലക്ഷ്മണനോടൊപ്പം, കണ്ണുനീരാൽ മറഞ്ഞ ദീനനായ നഗരവാസി ജനത്തെ ശ്രീരാമൻ തന്റെ ഗുണങ്ങളാൽ ബന്ധിച്ചവണ്ണം പിന്നിലേക്കു വലിച്ചുകൊണ്ടുപോയതുപോലെ കൂട്ടിക്കൊണ്ടുപോയി.

Word by Word

• bāṣpeṇa: with tears
• bāṣpeṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• pihitam: covered, concealed
• pihitam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √pidh (पिध् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'covered/hidden' (qualifying rāmaḥ as 'with face covered')

• dīnam: piteous, distressed
• dīnam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• saumitriṇā: with Saumitri (Lakshmana)
• saumitriṇā: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumitri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, सहार्थक (preposition-like: 'together with')

• cakarṣa: drew, attracted
• cakarṣa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛṣ (कृष् धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• iva: as if
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमान (simile particle: 'as if')

• guṇaiḥ: by virtues
• guṇaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• baddhvā: having bound
• baddhvā: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bandh (बन्ध् धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकाल (having bound)

• janam: the people
• janam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• puranivāsinam: dwelling in the city
• puranivāsinam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pura + nivāsin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष: 'in the city' + 'dweller'); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of janam

Context

Rama along with Lakshmana attracted the city-dwellers who, choked with tears, were looking miserable. It appeared they were bound with his virtues.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)
• Citizens of Ayodhyā (puranivāsinaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma-based leadership creates moral attachment: people follow the righteous not by force, but by trust and love born of virtue.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma proceeds, the citizens—overcome with sorrow—trail after him, unable to let him go.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s guṇas (excellence of character) that inspire deep loyalty and collective compassion.