Valmiki Ramayana 2.71.8: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 8

भरतस्य अयोध्याप्रत्यागमनम् · Bharata’s Return Journey and the Distant Sight of Ayodhya

Devanagari script

राजपुत्रो महारण्यमनभीक्ष्णोपसेवितम् ।

भद्रो भद्रेण यानेन मारुतः खमिवात्ययात् ॥८॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.71.8

Transliteration

rājaputro mahāraṇyamanabhīkṣṇopasevitam |

bhadro bhadreṇa yānena mārutaḥ khamivātyayāt ||8||

Translation

Błogosławiony książę, jadąc na doskonałym rydwanie, przemierzał rozległy i rzadko zamieszkany las, jak bóg wiatru pędzący przez niebo.

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Word by Word

• rājaputraḥ: the prince
• rājaputraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘king’s son’

• mahāraṇyam: the vast forest
• mahāraṇyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + araṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative Singular; कर्मधारय: mahā + araṇya (‘vast forest’)

• anabhīkṣṇopasevitam: seldom visited/uninhabited
• anabhīkṣṇopasevitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an-abhīkṣṇa + upasevita (उप + सेव् धातु, क्त) (धातु)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative Singular; PPP (क्त) from √sev with upa-; compound with negated adverb anabhīkṣṇa (‘not frequent’) qualifying: ‘not frequently visited/inhabited’

• bhadraḥ: the blessed one
• bhadraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhadra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular; epithet of Bharata

• bhadreṇa: excellent
• bhadreṇa: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhadra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/Masculine Instrumental Singular; here Neuter Instrumental qualifying yānena: ‘by an excellent’

• yānena: by vehicle/chariot
• yānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental Singular

• mārutaḥ: wind
• mārutaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māruta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular; used in simile as ‘wind’

• kham: the sky
• kham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative Singular

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile particle (उपमावाचक)

• atyayāt: passed through/went beyond
• atyayāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ati + i (अति + इ) (धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Context

Then with the blessed prince (Bharata) on an excellent chariot, it (the army) moved through the vast and uninhabited forest like the god of wind passing through the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Wind-god (Marut)
• Forest
• Chariot

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates the Dharma of fraternal devotion and righteous determination. Bharata's swift journey through the wilderness reflects his unwavering commitment to find Rama and bring him back to Ayodhya. His sense of duty as a brother and his refusal to accept the kingdom that rightfully belongs to Rama exemplify the highest ideals of familial Dharma and selflessness.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata, having learned of his father Dasharatha's death and Rama's exile, refuses to accept the crown. He is now traveling with a large army through the forest toward Chitrakoot to find Rama, persuade him to return, and restore him to his rightful place as king of Ayodhya.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse emphasizes Bharata's virtue of 'bhakti' (devotion) toward his elder brother and his commitment to 'tyaga' (renunciation). Despite being offered the kingdom, his single-minded pursuit of Rama demonstrates that true righteousness often requires personal sacrifice and unwavering loyalty to dharma.