Valmiki Ramayana 2.115.4 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 115, Shloka 4

पादुकाभिषेकः

The Consecration of Rama’s Sandals and Bharata’s Trusteeship at Nandigrama

Devanagari script

एतच्छ्रुत्वा शुभं वाक्यं भरतस्य महात्मनः।अब्रुवन्मन्त्रिणस्सर्वे वसिष्ठश्च पुरोहितः।।।।

Transliteration

etac chrutvā śubhaṃ vākyaṃ bharatasya mahātmanaḥ | abruvan mantriṇaḥ sarve vasiṣṭhaś ca purohitaḥ ||

Translation

एतच्छ्रुत्वा शुभं वाक्यं भरतस्य महात्मनः। अब्रुवन्मन्त्रिणस्सर्वे वसिष्ठश्च पुरोहितः॥

Word by Word

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies 'वाक्यम्')

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): 'having heard'

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies 'वाक्यम्')

• वाक्यम्: speech; words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भरतस्य: of Bharata
• भरतस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled one
• महात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषण-नामा (appositional genitive to 'भरतस्य')

• अब्रुवन्: spoke
• अब्रुवन्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत/Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• मन्त्रिणः: counsellors
• मन्त्रिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies 'मन्त्रिणः')

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चयद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• पुरोहितः: the priest
• पुरोहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरोहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वसिष्ठस्य विशेषण/अपपद (predicate/apposition)

Context

Bharata who was attached to his brother and ever obedient to him, fulfilled his vow. He coronated the sandals and lived at Nandigrama longing for the return of Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Vasiṣṭha
• Ministers (mantriṇaḥ)

FAQs

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

Respect for dharmic counsel: righteous speech invites responsible response from elders and ministers, showing governance grounded in ethical deliberation.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata has declared his intention to wait for Rama; the ministers and Vasiṣṭha prepare to answer him in the royal assembly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective responsibility in leadership—ministers and priest respond as guardians of dharma in state affairs.