Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.21 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 21

गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्

Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs

Devanagari script

ततस्तु विगते बाष्पे सूतं स्पृष्टोदकं शुचिम्।रामस्तु मधुरं वाक्यं पुनः पुनरुवाच तम्।।2.52.21।।

Transliteration

tatas tu vigate bāṣpe sūtaṃ spṛṣṭodakaṃ śucim |

rāmas tu madhuraṃ vākyaṃ punaḥ punar uvāca tam ||

Translation

ततः विगते बाष्पे सूतं स्पृष्टोदकं शुचिम्। रामः मधुरं वाक्यं तं पुनः पुनरुवाच।

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• vigate: when (it) had ceased
• vigate: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi√gam (धातु) + gata (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृत), locative singular neuter (सप्तमी एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग) agreeing with bāṣpe; meaning 'having gone/ceased'

• bāṣpe: in tears; in the tear-flow
• bāṣpe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• sūtam: the charioteer (Sumantra)
• sūtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• spṛṣṭa-udakam: having sipped water (ritually)
• spṛṣṭa-udakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: spṛṣṭa (√spṛś धातु, क्त कृदन्त) + udaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound; accusative singular masculine (द्वितीया एकवचन पुंलिङ्ग) qualifying sūtam; lit. 'one whose water has been touched' i.e., 'who has sipped/touched water (for purification)'

• śucim: pure, cleansed
• śucim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying sūtam

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

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात)

• madhuram: sweet, gentle
• madhuram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying vākyaṃ

• vākyam: speech, words
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• punaḥ: again and again
• punaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb; reduplicated with previous for emphasis

• uvāca: said, spoke
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्/परोक्षभूत), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• tam: to him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; refers to sūta

Context

After the flow of tears ceased Sumantra took a sip of water and became sanctified. Then Rama addressed him with sweet words over and over again:

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sumantra

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassionate speech (madhura-vākya) and emotional steadiness—Rama helps another regain composure before duty continues.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sumantra’s weeping eases, Rama repeatedly addresses him kindly, preparing him to return to Ayodhya.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s empathy and leadership through gentle counsel—he consoles rather than commands.