Valmiki Ramayana 2.57.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 17

सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः

Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament

Devanagari script

सोऽवतीर्य रथाच्छीघ्रं राजवेश्म प्रविश्य च।कक्ष्या स्सप्ताभिचक्राम महाजनसमाकुलाः।।।।

Transliteration

so 'vatīrya rathāc chīghraṃ rājaveśma praviśya ca |

kakṣyāḥ sapta abhicakrāma mahājanasamākulāḥ ||

Translation

അവൻ രഥത്തിൽ നിന്ന് വേഗത്തിൽ ഇറങ്ങി രാജവാസത്തിലേക്ക് കടന്ന്, ജനക്കൂട്ടം നിറഞ്ഞ ഏഴ് പ്രാകാരങ്ങൾ (മുറ്റങ്ങൾ) കടന്നു പോയി.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अवतीर्य: having alighted
• अवतीर्य: Kriya-samānādhikaraṇa (पूर्वकालिकक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava√tṝ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having descended/alighted’

• रथात्: from the chariot
• रथात्: Apadana (अपादानम्/source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (पञ्चमी 5), Singular

• शीघ्रम्: quickly
• शीघ्रम्: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghra (प्रातिपदिक used adverbially)
• Form: Avyaya-like adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणार्थे द्वितीया)

• राज-वेश्म: the royal palace
• राज-वेश्म: Karma (कर्म/Object of entering)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + veśman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः) ‘राज्ञः वेश्म’ = king’s palace

• प्रविश्य: having entered
• प्रविश्य: Kriya-samānādhikaraṇa (पूर्वकालिकक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√viś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having entered’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• कक्ष्याः: courtyards; enclosures
• कक्ष्याः: Karma (कर्म/Object; traversed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kakṣyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (द्वितीया 2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective (संख्यावाचक), indeclinable in form here; qualifies कक्ष्याः

• अभिचक्राम: traversed; crossed
• अभिचक्राम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi√kram (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• महाजन-समाकुलाः: crowded with many people
• महाजन-समाकुलाः: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahājana (प्रातिपदिक) + samākula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural; agrees with कक्ष्याः; तत्पुरुषः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः) ‘महाजनेन समाकुलाः’ = crowded with many people

Context

Quickly alighting from the chariot, he entered the king's palace and crossed the seven courtyards overcrowded with people.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• royal palace

FAQs

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

Dharma is promptness in duty: Sumantra does not delay in approaching the king, showing disciplined adherence to royal responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra arrives at the palace, dismounts, and moves swiftly inward through successive courtyards amid public commotion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Efficiency and steadfastness: he acts decisively even in a tense, crowded environment.