Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.42: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 42
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्
Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King
इति प्रासादशृङ्गेषु प्रमदाभिर्नरोत्तमः।।।।शुश्राव राजमार्गस्थः प्रिया वाच उदाहृताः।आत्मसंपूजनै शृण्वन् ययौ रामौ महापथम्।।।।
iti prāsādaśṛṅgeṣu pramadābhir narottamaḥ |
śuśrāva rājamārgasthaḥ priyā vāca udāhṛtāḥ |
ātmasaṃpūjanaiḥ śṛṇvan yayau rāmo mahāpatham ||
Demikianlah, ketika berada di jalan diraja, Rama—insan termulia—mendengar kata-kata manis yang dilantunkan para wanita dari puncak istana yang tinggi; mendengar pujian bagi dirinya, baginda meneruskan perjalanan di jalan besar.
Rama, the best among men, while riding along the highway overheard the pleasing words uttered by women standing on the elevation of their buildings. Thus hearing his own praise Rama proceeded along the highway.
FAQs
The verse highlights a dharmic social order where public speech praises virtue, and the ruler-in-making moves forward with composure amid acclaim.
Rama proceeds along the main road while women call out praises from rooftops; he hears these words as he continues onward.
Rama’s steadiness and dignified restraint—he continues his course without being diverted by public adulation.
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