Shloka 24

अम्बाया रामजामदग्न्यशरणगमनम्

Ambā Seeks Refuge with Rāma Jāmadagnya

Devanagari script

ततो5भिवाद्य चरणौ रामस्य शिरसा शुभौ | स्पृष्टवा पद्मदलाभाभ्यां पाणिभ्यामग्रत: स्थिता

Transliteration

tato 'bhivādya caraṇau rāmasya śirasā śubhau | spṛṣṭvā padmadalābhābhyāṃ pāṇibhyām agrataḥ sthitā ||

Translation

Então, curvando a cabeça, ela saudou os pés auspiciosos de Rāma (Paraśurāma), tocando-os com ambas as mãos, belas como pétalas de lótus, e permaneceu diante dele. A cena realça a ética tradicional de reverência ao mestre e ao ancião: mesmo em meio à turbulência interior e ao conflito iminente, ela se aproxima com humildade disciplinada e conduta apropriada.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: indeclinable (ablatival adverb)

• अभिवाद्य: having saluted
• अभिवाद्य: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-√वद्
• Form: absolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), indeclinable

• चरणौ: the two feet
• चरणौ: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण
• Form: masculine, accusative, dual

• रामस्य: of Rama (Parashurama)
• रामस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• शिरसा: with (her) head
• शिरसा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस्
• Form: neuter, instrumental, singular

• शुभौ: auspicious (two)
• शुभौ: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ
• Form: masculine, accusative, dual

• स्पृष्ट्वा: having touched
• स्पृष्ट्वा: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्पृश्
• Form: absolutive (क्त्वा), indeclinable

• पद्मदलाभाभ्याम्: with (two) that are like lotus-petals
• पद्मदलाभाभ्याम्: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्मदलाभ
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, dual (agreeing with पाणिभ्याम्)

• पाणिभ्याम्: with (her) two hands
• पाणिभ्याम्: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि
• Form: masculine, instrumental, dual

• अग्रतः: in front
• अग्रतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः
• Form: indeclinable (adverb)

• स्थिता: stood, remained standing
• स्थिता: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्था
• Form: past passive participle (क्त), feminine, nominative, singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Rāma (Paraśurāma)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights maryādā (proper conduct): approaching an elder/teacher with respectful salutation and self-restraint. Even when the situation is charged with anger or impending violence, dharmic etiquette—bowing, touching the feet, standing attentively—signals humility and recognition of authority.

What is happening in the narrative?

After being prompted by Paraśurāma (Rāma), the young woman comes before him, bows to his feet with her head, touches his feet with both lotus-like hands, and stands in front of him—formally presenting herself to speak or make her case.