Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 13

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

कौशल्यासुप्रजा राम पिता त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति।महिष्या सह कैकेय्या गम्यतां तत्र मा चिरम्।।।।

Transliteration

kauśalyāsuprajā rāma pitā tvāṃ draṣṭum icchati |

mahiṣyā saha kaikeyyā gamyatāṃ tatra mā ciram || 2.16.13 ||

Translation

कौशल्यासुप्रज राम, पिता त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति। कैकेय्या सह महिष्या तत्र गम्यतां मा चिरम्॥

Word by Word

• प्राञ्जलिः: with folded hands
• प्राञ्जलिः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāñjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘sumantraḥ’

• सुमुखम्: fair-faced
• सुमुखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sumukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय) ‘सु मुखं यस्य’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘rājaputram’

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), avyaya; pūrvakāla-kriyā (prior action)

• विहार-शयन-आसने: in the place of recreation, bed, and seat
• विहार-शयन-आसने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vihāra + śayana + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) samāhāra; Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana; adhikaraṇa (in/at)

• राजपुत्रम्: the prince
• राजपुत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘rājñaḥ putraḥ’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (लिट्/Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana

• इदम्: this (these words)
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viṣaya (content) of speech

• सुमन्त्रः: Sumantra
• सुमन्त्रः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sumantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• राज-सत्कृतः: honoured by the king
• राज-सत्कृतः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāja + satkṛta (प्रातिपदिक; from sat-√kṛ)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘rājñā satkṛtaḥ’; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘sumantraḥ’

Context

O Rama, worthy son of Kausalya, your father along with queen Kaikeyi desires to see you.You may go there. Please do not delay.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sumantra
• Dasharatha
• Kaushalya
• Kaikeyi

FAQs

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

The verse foregrounds filial duty and responsiveness: a son should promptly heed a father-king’s summons, honouring authority and family dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra delivers Daśaratha’s request that Rāma come immediately to meet him and Kaikeyī.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sumantra’s faithful messaging and Rāma’s expected obedience and readiness to serve.