Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.12 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 12

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः

Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

राज्ञो वचनमाज्ञाय सुमन्त्रः शीघ्रविक्रमः।योजयित्वाऽययौ तत्र रथमश्वैरलङ्कृतम्।।2.39.12।।

Transliteration

rājño vacanam ājñāya sumantraḥ śīghravikramaḥ | yojayitvā yayau tatra ratham aśvair alaṅkṛtam || 2.39.12 ||

Translation

Поняв повеление царя, Сумантра, быстрый в движении, запряг коней и отправился туда на колеснице, великолепно украшенной своими скакунами.

Word by Word

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी (6th/genitive), एकवचन (singular)

• वचनम्: command/words
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• आज्ञाय: having known/understood
• आज्ञाय: Kriya (क्रिया-अनुषङ्ग)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + आ (उपसर्ग)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (prior action), परस्मैपद-धातु

• सुमन्त्रः: Sumantra
• सुमन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुमन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st/nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• शीघ्रविक्रमः: swift-moving
• शीघ्रविक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीघ्र + विक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st/nominative), एकवचन (singular), कर्मधारयः (swift + stride)

• योजयित्वा: having yoked/harnessed
• योजयित्वा: Kriya (क्रिया-अनुषङ्ग)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), causative sense in context (to yoke/harness), पूर्वकाल (prior action)

• अययौ: went/came
• अययौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• अश्वैः: with horses
• अश्वैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन (plural)

• अलङ्कृतम्: decorated
• अलङ्कृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलङ्कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/accusative), एकवचन (singular), रथम् इति विशेषण (qualifying 'ratham')

Context

In obedience to the words of the king, Sumantra promptly harnessed the horses to a well-decorated chariot and brought it there.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Sumantra
• chariot
• horses

FAQs

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

Dharma as faithful service: an official acts promptly and competently once a lawful royal order is known.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra prepares and brings the chariot as ordered, enabling the next step in Rāma’s departure.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sumantra’s efficiency, obedience, and readiness to serve despite the sorrowful purpose.