Valmiki Ramayana 2.46.3 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 3

तमसातीरवासः

Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens

Devanagari script

पश्य शून्यान्यरण्यानि रुदन्तीव समन्ततः।यथानिलयमायद्भिर्निलीनानि मृगद्विजैः।।2.46.3।।

Transliteration

paśya śūnyāny araṇyāni rudantīva samantataḥ |

yathā-nilayam āyadbhir nilīnāni mṛga-dvijaiḥ ||2.46.3||

Translation

पश्य, समन्ततः शून्यान्यरण्यानि रुदन्तीव दृश्यन्ते; स्वस्वनिलयमायातैर्मृगद्विजैर्निलीनानि हि।

Word by Word

• paśya: see
• paśya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ lakāra (Imperative), Madhyama puruṣa (2nd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada

• śūnyāni: deserted/empty
• śūnyāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śūnya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural); agrees with araṇyāni

• araṇyāni: forests
• araṇyāni: Karma (कर्म/Object) of paśya
• Type: Noun
• Root: araṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• rudantī: crying
• rudantī: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (participial qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √rud (धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ (present active participle) feminine nominative singular; used with iva to qualify araṇyāni by poetic personification (as if 'crying')

• iva: as if
• iva: Upamā-bodhaka (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; upamā-nipāta

• samantataḥ: all around
• samantataḥ: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb of place 'on all sides'

• yathā: as
• yathā: Upamā/Prakāra-bodhaka
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; comparative/conjunctive adverb 'as/according to'

• nilayam: (to their) abode
• nilayam: Gati-karma (goal) with āyadbhiḥ
• Type: Noun
• Root: nilaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); used adverbially with yathā: 'to their abode'

• āyadbhiḥ: by those returning
• āyadbhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता) in instrumental (agent of nilīnāni)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√yā (धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ (present active participle) instrumental plural; 'by those going/returning'

• nilīnāni: hidden/withdrawn
• nilīnāni: Predicate participle describing araṇyāni (state due to mṛgadvijaiḥ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni√lī (धातु)
• Form: Kta (past passive participle) neuter accusative plural; agrees with araṇyāni; 'hidden/withdrawn'

• mṛga-dvijaiḥ: by animals and birds
• mṛga-dvijaiḥ: Karaṇa/Karta (instrumental agent) for nilīnāni
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛga (प्रातिपदिक) + dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā (Instrumental/3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural); itaretara-dvandva: mṛgāḥ ca dvijāḥ ca (animals and birds)

Context

Look at the deserted forest. The wild animals and birds have returned to their hideouts. They fill the air with their cries.

Characters & Entities

• forest (araṇya)
• birds (dvija)

FAQs

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

Dharma is linked to awareness and restraint: entering the wilderness requires attentiveness to place and life, moving without needless disturbance.

What is the narrative situation?

During the journey away from Ayodhya, the travelers observe an eerily deserted forest where creatures have retreated to their shelters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mindfulness and sensitivity—perceiving the mood of nature and responding with sober awareness.