Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 12

द्वात्रिंशस्सर्गः

Gifts to Suyajna and the Brahmins; Trijata’s Petition and Rama’s Charity

Devanagari script

अथ भ्रातरमव्यग्रं प्रियं रामः प्रियंवदः।सौमित्रिं तमुवाचेदं ब्रह्मेव त्रिदशेश्वरम्।।।।

Transliteration

atha bhrātaram avyagraṃ priyaṃ rāmaḥ priyaṃvadaḥ | saumitriṃ tam uvācedaṃ brahmeva tridaśeśvaram ||

Translation

अथ प्रियंवदः रामः अव्यग्रः प्रियं भ्रातरं सौमित्रिं प्रति ब्रह्मेव त्रिदशेश्वरं प्रति इदं वचनमुवाच।

Word by Word

• atha: then
• atha: Kāla/Anukrama (अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable (sequence marker)

• bhrātaram: brother
• bhrātaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• avyagram: unhurried / unagitated
• avyagram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyagra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying bhrātaram

• priyam: dear
• priyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying bhrātaram

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• priyaṃvadaḥ: sweet-speaking
• priyaṃvadaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priyaṃ-vada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; बहुव्रीहि: priyaṃ vadati iti = sweet-speaking

• saumitriṃ: Saumitri (Lakshmana)
• saumitriṃ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumitri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; patronymic of Lakshmana

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; apposition to saumitriṃ

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Singular

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object/content of speech

• brahmā: Brahma
• brahmā: Upameya/Upamāna (उपमेय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; subject of comparison

• iva: like
• iva: Upamādyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile marker

• tridaśeśvaram: lord of the gods (Indra)
• tridaśeśvaram: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tridaśa-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; tatpurusha: tridaśānām īśvaraḥ = lord of the gods (Indra)

Context

Sweet-tongued Rama calmly said to his brother (Lakshmana) like Brahmaaddressing Indra:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)
• Brahmā
• Indra (Tridaśeśvara)

FAQs

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

Dharma of speech and leadership: authority is exercised without agitation, using measured and benevolent words—an ideal of righteous governance and counsel.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration introduces Rāma’s calm address to Lakshmaṇa, elevating the moment through a comparison to Brahmā speaking to Indra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Composure and gracious communication—Rāma’s steadiness under pressure models maryādā (propriety) and self-control.