Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.14 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 14

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः

Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

राजा सत्वरमाहूय व्यापृतं वित्तसंञ्चये।उवाच देशकालज्ञो निश्चितं सर्वत श्शुचिम्।।2.39.14।।

Transliteration

rājā satvaram āhūya vyāpṛtaṃ vittasañcaye | uvāca deśakālajño niścitaṃ sarvataś śucim || 2.39.14 ||

Translation

ਦੇਸ-ਕਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਨੇ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਖਜ਼ਾਨੇ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਗੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਲਾਇਆ; ਜੋ ਨਿਸ਼ਚੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ-ਭਰੋਸੇਯੋਗ ਸੀ, ਉਸ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਲੇ।

Word by Word

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सत्वरम्: quickly/hastily
• सत्वरम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सत्वरम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• आहूय: having summoned
• आहूय: Kriya (क्रिया-अनुषङ्ग)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ह्वे (धातु) + आ (उपसर्ग)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), पूर्वकाल

• व्यापृतम्: engaged/occupied
• व्यापृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + आ + प्र (उपसर्ग) + वृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि-भाव (engaged/occupied), (तम् understood)

• वित्तसञ्चये: in the treasury/wealth-store
• वित्तसञ्चये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वित्त + सञ्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन (singular), षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (accumulation of wealth)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• देशकालज्ञः: knowing place and time
• देशकालज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देश + काल + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (knower of place and time)

• निश्चितम्: firm/decided
• निश्चितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि + चि (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (तम् understood) दृढम् (firm/decided)

• सर्वतः: in every way
• सर्वतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, परितोऽर्थे (adverb: in every way/from all sides)

• शुचिम्: pure/honest
• शुचिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (तम् understood)

Context

The king who was aware of the right place and time summoned hurriedly the treaury officer, who was firm and honest and said to him:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• treasury (kośa)

FAQs

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

Righteous governance depends on integrity in public office: the king relies on a pure and steady treasury official, reflecting the dharmic necessity of trustworthy administration.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha calls the treasury officer to arrange resources needed for the impending forest life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The officer’s honesty and firmness; and the king’s prudence in choosing the right agent at the right time.