Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.33: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 33
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
Spoken by Rama to SumantraSetting: Ayodhyā outskirts/roadside near the city gates (Rāma’s departure context)Places named: AyodhyāDeparture from Ayodhyā toward exile (vanavāsa)
भरतं च परिष्वज्य यौवराज्येऽभिषिच्य च ।
अस्मत्सन्तापजं दुःखं न त्वामभिभविष्यति ॥३३॥
bharataṃ ca pariṣvajya yauvarājye 'bhiṣicya ca |
asmatsantāpajaṃ duḥkhaṃ na tvām abhibhaviṣyati ||33||
Peluklah Bharata dan lakukan upacara abhiṣeka untuk menobatkannya sebagai Putera Mahkota; maka dukacita yang lahir daripada perpisahan dengan kami tidak akan mengatasi dirimu.
Sandhi Notes
- यौवराज्येऽभिषिच्य = यौवराज्ये + अभिषिच्य (ए + अ → एऽ)
- अस्मत्सन्तापजम् = अस्मत् + सन्तापजम् (त् + स → त्स)
On embracing Bharata and making him the crown-prince the sorrow due to our departure will not affect you.
The teaching
When separation is unavoidable, uphold dharma by ensuring rightful governance and preventing grief from destabilizing the household and state.
Duties in tension
- Personal attachment and grief vs. political stability of the kingdom
- Renunciation (Rāma’s exile) vs. continuity of righteous governance through Bharata
- Ethical theme
- Rājadharma / kuladharma
- How it resolves
- Dharma-prioritization through orderly succession and emotional restraint
For your practice
Practice of niṣkāma duty and compassionate speech; transforming grief into constructive dharmic action.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Karuna (compassion), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Parting-counsel, tender, resolute
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Rajadharma
- Family duty
- Consolation
- Itihasa
- Ethics
Sorrow born of attachment is to be transcended by right action and steadiness (vairāgya through dharma).
Echo of mastering grief through knowledge/steadfastness: "tarati śokam" motif (Chāndogya/Katha thematic resonance).
- Rama and Bharata
- Brothers (elder-younger), succession counsel (benevolent)
- Rama and Sumantra
- Prince and royal charioteer-messenger; instruction (solemn)
- Rama and Dasharatha
- Son concerned for father’s welfare (compassionate)
- Bharata and Dasharatha
- Son’s duty to father; implied governance (dutiful)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.52 (Sumantra’s message sequence); Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Rāma’s instructions for Bharata and the queens (nearby verses 2.52.34-36)
Bhagavad Gītā 2.14-15 (endurance of sorrow; steadiness); Mahābhārata Śānti/Anuśāsana themes: succession with dharma and family concord
Rāma’s earlier renunciation and concern for Ayodhyā’s stability (Ayodhyākāṇḍa departure episodes)
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Solemn
Mandra–madhyama, with gentle nyāsa on दुःखं / अभिभविष्यति
FAQs
Dharma here is responsible transition of royal duty: ensuring the kingdom and household remain steady by installing a worthy regent, so personal grief does not destabilize public order.
Rama, departing for exile, instructs Sumantra on what to do in Ayodhya so that the royal family and city can endure his absence.
Rama’s foresight and compassion—he prioritizes the welfare of others and the continuity of governance over his own situation.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
