Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 13

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः

Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

तं रथं राजपुत्राय सूत: कनकभूषितम्।आचचक्षेऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा युक्तं परमवाजिभिः।।2.39.13।।

Transliteration

taṃ rathaṃ rājaputrāya sūtaḥ kanakabhūṣitam | ācacakṣe ’ñjaliṃ kṛtvā yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ || 2.39.13 ||

Translation

सूतः अञ्जलिं कृत्वा राजपुत्राय न्यवेदयत्—कनकभूषितोऽयं रथः परमवाजिभिर्युक्तः सज्जोऽस्ति इति।

Word by Word

• तम्: that
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/accusative), एकवचन (singular), रथम् इति विशेषण (demonstrative)

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• राजपुत्राय: for the prince
• राजपुत्राय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), चतुर्थी (4th/dative), एकवचन (singular), षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (king's son)

• सूतः: the charioteer
• सूतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कनकभूषितम्: adorned with gold
• कनकभूषितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कनक + भूषित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त (PPP) from भूष्/भूषय् (to adorn), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ (adorned with gold)

• आचचक्षे: informed/told
• आचचक्षे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चक्ष् (धातु) + आ (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• अञ्जलिम्: folded hands (salutation)
• अञ्जलिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made/done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया-अनुषङ्ग)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल

• युक्तम्: yoked/harnessed
• युक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; रथम् इति विशेषण

• परमवाजिभिः: with excellent horses
• परमवाजिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन (plural), कर्मधारय (excellent horses)

Context

With folded palms Sumantra informed the prince that a chariot, decked in gold andharnessed with excellent horses, is ready.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Rāma
• chariot
• horses
• gold (ornamentation)

FAQs

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

Maryādā (propriety) in service: duty is performed with reverence and respectful communication, even in distressing circumstances.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra reports to Rāma that the royal chariot is prepared and ready for departure.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sumantra’s humility and disciplined courtly conduct; Rāma’s status as rightful prince is also underscored.