Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 1
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्
Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King
तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य जनाकुलम्।प्रविविक्तां ततः कक्ष्यामाससाद पुराणवित्।।।।प्रासकार्मुकबिभ्रद्भिर्युवभिर्मृष्टकुण्डलैः।अप्रमादिभिरेकाग्रै स्स्वनुरक्तैरधिष्ठिताम्।।।।
tad antaḥpuradvāraṃ samatītya janākulam |
praviviktāṃ tataḥ kakṣyām āsasāda purāṇavit || 2.16.1 ||
prāsakārmukabibhradbhir yuvabhir mṛṣṭakuṇḍalaiḥ |
apramādibhir ekāgraiḥ svanuraktair adhiṣṭhitām || 2.16.2 ||
जनाकुलं तदन्तःपुरद्वारं समतीत्य पुराणवित् सुमन्त्रः प्रविविक्तां कक्ष्यामाससाद। सा च प्रासकार्मुकधारिभिः मृष्टकुण्डलैः अप्रमादिभिः एकाग्रैः स्वनुरक्तैः युवभिरधिष्ठिता।
An excellent fan of yak's tail with a staff of gold studded with gems looking like diffused moon-beams was kept ready.
FAQs
Dharma is protective order: inner spaces are safeguarded by vigilant, loyal guards, showing that righteousness in governance includes responsibility for security, restraint, and disciplined attention.
Sumantra moves deeper into the palace, from a crowded entrance to a quieter guarded courtyard, indicating he is approaching an important private royal space.
Vigilance and devotion in service: the guards embody apramāda (alertness) and loyalty, while Sumantra embodies competence grounded in tradition (purāṇavit).