Valmiki Ramayana 2.26.4: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 26, Shloka 4

अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः

Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct

Devanagari script

देवकार्यं स्वयं कृत्वा कृतज्ञा हृष्टचेतना।अभिज्ञा राजधर्माणां राजपुत्रं प्रतीक्षते।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.26.4

Transliteration

devakāryaṃ svayaṃ kṛtvā kṛtajñā hṛṣṭacetanā |

abhijñā rājadharmāṇāṃ rājaputraṃ pratīkṣate ||

Translation

देवकार्याची पूजा स्वतः करून, कृतज्ञ व हर्षितचित्त आणि राजधर्मात निपुण अशी सीता राजपुत्राची वाट पाहू लागली॥

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• devakāryam: duty/service to the gods
• devakāryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: देवानां कार्यम्/देवस्य कार्यम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• svayam: herself
• svayam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, आत्मकर्तृवाचक (reflexive adverb: oneself)

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकाल (having done)

• kṛtajñā: grateful
• kṛtajñā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: कृतं जानाति (one who knows what is done); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (F), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of the subject)

• hṛṣṭacetanā: with delighted mind
• hṛṣṭacetanā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + cetanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: हृष्टा चेतना यस्याः; स्त्रीलिङ्ग (F), प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• abhijñā: expert, well-acquainted
• abhijñā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-jñā (धातु) + a (प्रातिपदिक) → abhijña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (F), प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (skilled/experienced)

• rājadharmāṇām: of the duties of a king
• rājadharmāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: राज्ञः धर्माः; पुल्लिङ्ग (M), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• rājaputram: the prince
• rājaputram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: राज्ञः पुत्रः; पुल्लिङ्ग (M), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• pratīkṣate: waits for, awaits
• pratīkṣate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Context

You should give importance to duty(dharma) and show respect to my aged mother who is emaciated due to grief.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined observance of one’s ordained duties—here, Sītā’s conscientious performance of sacred rites and her competence in royal conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Before the difficult developments unfold, Sītā is depicted in the palace after completing worship, awaiting Rāma’s return.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s devotion and propriety—gratitude, inner composure, and readiness to uphold the responsibilities of royal life.