Valmiki Ramayana 2.20.34 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 34

अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः

Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile

Devanagari script

उपावृत्त्योत्थितां दीनां बडबामिव वाहिताम्।पांसुकुण्ठितसर्वाङ्गीं विममर्श च पाणिना।।।।

Transliteration

upāvṛttyotthitāṃ dīnāṃ baḍabām iva vāhitām | pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīṃ vimamarśa ca pāṇinā ||

Translation

భూమిపై ఒలికివచ్చి లేచిన దయనీయురాలిని—భారం లాగి అలసిన మాద గుర్రములా—ధూళితో మసకబారిన ఆమె సర్వాంగాన్ని రాముడు తన చేతితో మృదువుగా తుడిచి సాంత్వనపరిచాడు।

Word by Word

• upāvṛttya: having rolled about
• upāvṛttya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + ā + √vṛt (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा) ‘having rolled/turned (on the ground)’

• utthitām: risen/standing up
• utthitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud + √sthā (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying (tām)

• dīnām: wretched
• dīnām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying (tām)

• baḍabām: a mare
• baḍabām: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: baḍabā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; upamāna

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparison particle

• vāhitām: made to bear (a load)
• vāhitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vah (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative, Singular; ‘made to carry/dragged’ qualifying (tām)

• pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīm: with all limbs dust-covered
• pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāṃsu + kuṇṭhita + sarva + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; bahuvrīhi ‘one whose whole body is dulled/covered by dust’

• vimamarśa: touched/caressed
• vimamarśa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + √mṛś (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (perfect), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha/Avyaya (अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• pāṇinā: with (his) hand
• pāṇinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

Context

Rama gently wiped away the dust that had covered her body as Kausalya stood miserable, like a mare who stands up after having rolled on the ground while pulling the load.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Kausalya

FAQs

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

Gentleness as dharma in action: Rama’s righteousness is not only in keeping vows but in tender, hands-on care for the suffering—especially one’s parents.

What is the narrative situation?

After Kausalya collapses and rises dust-covered, Rama physically comforts her, wiping away dust and soothing her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mṛdutā (gentleness) and attentive filial compassion.