Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.31: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 31

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

स पर्जन्य इवाकाशे स्वनवानभिनादयन्।।।।निकेतान्निर्ययौ श्रीमान्महाभ्रादिव चन्द्रमाः।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.16.31

Transliteration

sa parjanya ivākāśe svanavān abhinādayan |

niketān niryayau śrīmān mahābhrād iva candramāḥ ||

Translation

Ressoando como nuvem de tempestade no céu, aquele carro magnífico saiu da residência, como a lua que surge detrás de uma grande massa de nuvens.

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Word by Word

• chatra-cāmara-pāṇiḥ: one holding umbrella and yak-tail fan
• chatra-cāmara-pāṇiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chatra (प्रातिपदिक) + cāmara (प्रातिपदिक) + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi = yasya pāṇau chatraṃ cāmaraṃ ca; epithet of lakṣmaṇaḥ

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa/viśeṣa-avyaya (particle: 'but/indeed')

• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Lakṣmaṇa
• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; subject of jugopa

• rāghava-anujaḥ: Rāghava’s younger brother
• rāghava-anujaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक) + anuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी) = rāghavasya anujaḥ; apposition to lakṣmaṇaḥ

• jugopa: guarded, protected
• jugopa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gup (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect; 3rd person, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• bhrātaram: (his) brother
• bhrātaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; object of jugopa

• bhrātā: the brother
• bhrātā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; in apposition to lakṣmaṇaḥ

• ratham: the chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; object of āsthāya

• āsthāya: having mounted
• āsthāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धातु) + ā
• Form: Absolutive (ल्यप्) 'having mounted'

• pṛṣṭhataḥ: from behind, at the rear
• pṛṣṭhataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛṣṭhatas (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya (adverb of place) = 'from behind/at the rear'

Context

The sound emanating from the chariot resembled the thunder. The spacious chariot was decorated with gold and gems which dazzled the eyes as though they shed the lustre of the Sun. The swiftmoving chariot was harnessed by excellent horses as if they were young elephants. Like the thousandeyed Indra, Rama, ablaze with royal splendour, mounted this chariot and sped away.

Characters & Entities

• chariot (ratha)
• moon (candramā)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the ideal of public visibility in righteous leadership: the ruler’s movement is not secretive but emerges openly, marked by auspicious imagery—suggesting accountability and order.

What is the narrative situation?

The chariot carrying Rāma emerges from his residence, described through powerful natural similes (storm and moon).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Auspiciousness and dignity (śrī)—a composed majesty that accompanies rightful action.