Valmiki Ramayana 2.18.2 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 2

अष्टादशः सर्गः

Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration

Devanagari script

स पितुश्चरणौ पूर्वमभिवाद्य विनीतवत्।ततो ववन्दे चरणौ कैकेय्या स्सुसमाहितः।।।।

Transliteration

sa pituś caraṇau pūrvam abhivādya vinītavat | tato vavande caraṇau kaikeyyāḥ susamāhitaḥ ||

Translation

Смиренно и с собранным умом он прежде всего почтительно поклонился стопам отца; затем приветствовал стопы Кайкейи.

Word by Word

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

• पितुः: of (his) father
• पितुः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• चरणौ: two feet
• चरणौ: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• पूर्वम्: first
• पूर्वम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्वम् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: first)

• अभिवाद्य: having paid respects
• अभिवाद्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि+वद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having saluted’

• विनीतवत्: humbly
• विनीतवत्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विनीतवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वत्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverbial): ‘like one who is humble’

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/अनन्तरवाचक-अव्यय (thereafter)

• ववन्दे: saluted
• ववन्दे: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वन्द् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), आत्मनेपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• चरणौ: two feet
• चरणौ: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• कैकेय्याः: of Kaikeyi
• कैकेय्याः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कैकेयी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• सुसमाहितः: well-composed
• सुसमाहितः: कर्ता (Karta; predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु+समाहित (प्रातिपदिक; सम्+आ+धा धातु)
• Form: कर्मधारय: सु-समाहितः ‘well-composed’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृ-विशेषणम्

Context

With all humility and wellcomposed mind, he made reverential salutation first at his father's feet and thereafter at Kaikeyi's.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha (father/king)
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as maryādā—proper conduct through reverence to parents and elders. Rāma’s composure and humility show that righteousness begins with disciplined respect.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma enters and formally greets his father first, then Kaikeyī, establishing the respectful setting before the difficult demand is disclosed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vinaya (humility) and saṃyama (self-control): Rāma remains composed and dutiful in his external and inner posture.