Valmiki Ramayana 2.46.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 13

तमसातीरवासः

Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens

Devanagari script

उपास्य तु शिवां सन्ध्यां दृष्ट्वा रात्रिमुपस्थिताम्।रामस्य शयनं चक्रे सूतः सौमित्रिणा सह।।2.46.13।।

Transliteration

upāsya tu śivāṁ sandhyāṁ dṛṣṭvā rātrim upasthitām | rāmasya śayanaṁ cakre sūtaḥ saumitriṇā saha ||2.46.13||

Translation

ശുഭമായ സന്ധ്യയെ ഉപാസിച്ചു, രാത്രി അടുത്തെത്തിയതായി കണ്ട ശേഷം, സാരഥി സൗമിത്രി (ലക്ഷ്മണൻ)നോടൊപ്പം രാമനുവേണ്ടി ശയനസ്ഥലം ഒരുക്കി.

Word by Word

• उपास्य: having worshipped
• उपास्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + आस् (धातु; ‘to worship/attend’)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-प्राय (absolutive/gerund; irregular form), अव्यय; ‘having worshipped’

• तु: then
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• शिवाम्: auspicious
• शिवाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies सन्ध्याम्)

• सन्ध्याम्: the twilight (sandhya)
• सन्ध्याम्: Karma (कर्म/object of उपास्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्यय; ‘having seen’

• रात्रिम्: night
• रात्रिम्: Karma (कर्म/object of दृष्ट्वा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उपस्थिताम्: arrived, present
• उपस्थिताम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (Past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies रात्रिम्)

• रामस्य: of Rama
• रामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• शयनम्: bed, resting-place
• शयनम्: Karma (कर्म/object of चक्रे)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• चक्रे: made
• चक्रे: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• सूतः: the charioteer
• सूतः: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• सौमित्रिणा: with Saumitra (Lakshmana)
• सौमित्रिणा: Sahakari (सहकारी/ सह-कर्ता; accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौमित्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (सहार्थ/accompaniment marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-योगार्थक-अव्यय (preposition-like indeclinable: ‘together with’)

Context

Then the charioteer worshipping the auspicious Sandhya (twilight), and seeing the night approach made bed for Rama and Lakshmana.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Sandhya (twilight worship)
• Rama
• Lakshmana (Saumitri)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed through disciplined conduct: honoring Sandhyā (daily sacred observance) alongside compassionate service—preparing rest for those under one’s care.

What is the narrative situation?

Nightfall arrives during Rama’s departure; Sumantra performs twilight worship and then arranges sleeping accommodations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Piety joined with practical duty: Sumantra balances ritual propriety with attentive service.