Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.10: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 10

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

तं वैश्रवणसङ्काशमुपविष्टं स्वलङ्कृतम्।ददर्श सूतः पर्य्यङ्के सौवर्णे सोत्तरच्छदे।।2.16.8।।वराहरुधिराभेण शुचिना च सुगन्धिना।अनुलिप्तं परार्ध्येन चन्दनेन परन्तपम्।।2.16.9।।स्थितया पार्श्वतश्चापि वालव्यजनहस्तया।उपेतं सीतयाभूयश्चित्रया शशिनं यथा।।2.16.10।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.16.10

Transliteration

sthitayā pārśvataś cāpi vālavyajanahastayā |

upetaṃ sītayā bhūyaś citrayā śaśinaṃ yathā || 2.16.10 ||

Translation

पार्श्वतः स्थितया सीतया वालव्यजनहस्तया उपेतं रामं भूयः चित्रया सह शशिनमिव ददर्श।

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Word by Word

• वराह-रुधिर-आभेण: with a hue like boar’s blood
• वराह-रुधिर-आभेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varāha + rudhira + ābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘varāhasya rudhirasya ābhā’; Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā vibhakti (3rd/तृतीया), Ekavacana; hetu/viśeṣaṇa (instrumental of description)

• शुचिना: pure
• शुचिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa (instrumental of quality)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-निपात) conjunction

• सुगन्धिना: fragrant
• सुगन्धिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sugandhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa (instrumental of quality)

• अनुलिप्तम्: anointed/smeared
• अनुलिप्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-√lip (लिप् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya PPP (क्त), Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘tam’ (Rāma)

• परार्ध्येन: excellent/precious
• परार्ध्येन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parārdhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘candanena’

• चन्दनेन: with sandalpaste
• चन्दनेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; karaṇa (means) with ‘anuliptam’

• परन्तपम्: subduer of foes
• परन्तपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parantapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) ‘yaḥ parān tapati’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; apposition to ‘tam’

Context

Sumantra beheld Rama, who resembled Kubera. Rama was sitting on a richlycovered golden couch, welladorned and anointed with precious, pure, fragrant red sandalpaste the colour of which appeared like the blood of a hog. With Sita standing by his side with a fan of yak's tail in her hand Rama, the tormentor of foes, looked like the Moon united with (the star) Chitra.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita
• Sumantra
• Moon (Shashin)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights maryādā (propriety) and harmonious household/royal conduct: Sītā’s attentive service and Rāma’s dignified presence reflect ordered, respectful relationships within dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra has arrived and beholds Rāma seated in splendour, with Sītā standing beside him holding a ceremonial fan; the scene sets the tone for the king’s impending message.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s devoted attentiveness and Rāma’s composed majesty—together portraying steadiness, grace, and adherence to royal and marital decorum.