Valmiki Ramayana 2.49.13: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 13

एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address

Setting: Ayodhya region (Ikshvaku realm)Places named: Ayodhya, Ikshvaku realmDeparting Ayodhya toward exile (chariot journey)

Devanagari script

स महीं मनुना राज्ञा दत्तामिक्ष्वाकवे पुरा ।

स्फीतां राष्ट्रावृतां रामो वैदेहीमन्वदर्शयत् ॥१३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.49.13

Transliteration

sa mahīṁ manunā rājñā dattām ikṣvākave purā |

sphītāṁ rāṣṭrāvṛtāṁ rāmo vaidehīm anvadarśayat ||13||

Translation

Rāma mostrou a Vaidehī a terra próspera, cercada por reinos, que outrora o rei Manu concedera a Ikṣvāku.

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Word by Word

• सः: he (Rama)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; सर्वनाम
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• महीम्: the land
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• मनुना: by Manu
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया; एकवचन
• Role: Kartr-karana in passive sense (कर्तृ-करण/हेतुः)

• राज्ञा: by the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया; एकवचन; मनुना इत्यस्य विशेषण (apposition)
• Role: Kartr-karana in passive sense (कर्तृ-करण/हेतुः)

• दत्ताम्: given/bestowed
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; विशेषण महीम्
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)

• इक्ष्वाकवे: to Ikṣvāku
• Type: Noun
• Root: इक्ष्वाकु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (Dative); एकवचन
• Role: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)

• पुरा: formerly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time: formerly)
• Role: Kalam (काल-अधिकरण)

• स्फीताम्: vast/prosperous
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; विशेषण महीम्
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)

• राष्ट्रावृताम्: surrounded by kingdoms
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राष्ट्र + आवृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; विशेषण महीम्; तत्पुरुषः: राष्ट्रैः आवृता (surrounded by kingdoms)
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• रामः: Rama
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• वैदेहीम्: Vaidehī (Sītā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदेही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• अन्वदर्शयत्: showed
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√दृश्/दर्शय् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; णिच्-प्रत्यय (causative) ‘दर्शयति’ = causes to see/shows
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• दत्तामिक्ष्वाकवे → दत्ताम् + इक्ष्वाकवे
• राष्ट्रावृताम् = राष्ट्रैः + आवृताम् (तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारयार्थः)

Context

Rama showed Sita vast tracts of land encircled by kingdoms which were formerly bestowed upon Ikshvaku by emperor Manu.

The teaching

Prosperity and sovereignty are framed as inherited trust grounded in ancient dharmic precedent, not mere personal possession.

Ethical theme

Rajadharma

For your practice

Contemplation on Rama as dharma-incarnate who views kingdom as lineage-trust while moving toward renunciation.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shringara (love)

Mood

Heritage-pride, expansive, tender

Themes

• Dharma
• Itihasa
• Royal Lineage
• Kingship
• Maryada
• Satya

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• Manu
• Ikṣvāku

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as inherited responsibility: the land and kingship are not mere possessions but a sacred trust transmitted through righteous lineage (Manu → Ikṣvāku), implying duty toward the realm.

What is the narrative situation?

As they travel, Rama points out to Sītā a historically significant territory associated with his dynasty’s origins.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Historical consciousness and reverence for tradition—Rama connects present experience to ancestral duty and rightful order.