Valmiki Ramayana 2.16.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 3
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्
Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King
तत्र काषायिणो वृद्धान् वेत्रपाणीन् स्वलङ्कृतान् ।
ददर्श विष्ठितान् द्वारि स्त्र्यध्यक्षान्सुसमाहितान् ॥३॥
tatra kāṣāyiṇo vṛddhān vetrapāṇīn svalaṅkṛtān |
dadarśa viṣṭhitān dvāri stryadhyakṣān susamāhitān ||3||
అక్కడ ద్వారమున స్త్రీఅంతఃపురాధ్యక్షులైన వృద్ధులను చూచెను—కాషాయవస్త్రధారులు, సువిభూషితులు, చేతిలో దండములు ధరించి, సంపూర్ణ సమాహితతో నిలిచియుండిరి।
He saw aged people appointed as security staff for women's apartments. They werewelladorned, dressed in orange robes and with rapt attention stood holding staff in their hands.
FAQs
The verse highlights maryādā (social and moral order): protection of private spaces and safety within the royal household is treated as a duty carried out with vigilance and discipline.
As Rāma moves through the palace area, the narration notes the disciplined security arrangements at the entrance to the women’s quarters.
Institutional virtue—steadfastness and responsibility (susamāhita, vigilant composure) in those entrusted with protective duty.
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