Valmiki Ramayana 1.13.28 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 28

हयमेध

यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations

Devanagari script

स्वयमेव हि धर्मात्मा प्रययौ मुनिशासनात्।सुमन्त्रस्त्वरितो भूत्वा समानेतुं महीक्षित:।।1.13.28।।

Transliteration

svayam eva hi dharmātmā prayayau muniśāsanāt |

sumantras tvarito bhūtvā samānetuṃ mahīkṣitaḥ || 1.13.28 ||

Translation

Воистину, праведный Сумантра сам поспешно отправился, по повелению мудреца, чтобы сопроводить царей.

Word by Word

• स्वयम्: himself / personally
• स्वयम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय): ‘by oneself/oneself’

• एव: indeed / alone
• एव: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (निपात): emphasis

• हि: for / indeed
• हि: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (निपात): causal/emphatic

• धर्मात्मा: the righteous one
• धर्मात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharmātman (धर्मात्मन्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: धर्मः आत्मा यस्य सः

• प्रययौ: set out / went forth
• प्रययौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (या धातु) + pra- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• मुनि-शासनात्: from the sage’s command / due to the sage’s order
• मुनि-शासनात्: Apādāna (अपादान) / Hetu (हेतु-अर्थे)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (मुनि-प्रातिपदिक) + śāsana (शासन-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Ablative (पञ्चमी) Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी): मुनेः शासनम्

• सुमन्त्रः: Sumantra
• सुमन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता) (of ‘भूत्वा…समानेतुम्’ as attendant action)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sumantra (सुमन्त्र-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन)

• त्वरितः: quick / in haste
• त्वरितः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) (of सुमन्त्रः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tvarita (त्वरित-प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); past passive participle (क्त) used adjectivally: ‘having become hurried/quick’

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय): ‘having become’

• समानेतुम्: to bring/escort (together)
• समानेतुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन) / Karma-arthaka (कर्मार्थक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nī (नी धातु) + sam-ā- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्): purpose (प्रयोजनार्थ)

• महीक्षितः: kings
• महीक्षितः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahīkṣit (महीक्षित्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Plural (बहुवचन); object of ‘समानेतुम्’

Context

All the workers reported to the wise sage, Vasishta about the tasks completed for the sacrifice.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Vasiṣṭha (implied by muniśāsana)
• Kings (mahīkṣitaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma is obedience to wise guidance and personal responsibility: Sumantra does not merely delegate; he participates directly to ensure the righteous task succeeds.

What is the narrative situation?

Beyond sending emissaries, Sumantra himself departs swiftly to bring the invited rulers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Diligence rooted in dharma—prompt action, humility before the sage’s command, and reliability in state service.