Valmiki Ramayana 2.32.12: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 12

द्वात्रिंशस्सर्गः · Gifts to Suyajna and the Brahmins; Trijata’s Petition and Rama’s Charity

Devanagari script

अथ भ्रातरमव्यग्रं प्रियं रामः प्रियंवदः ।

सौमित्रिं तमुवाचेदं ब्रह्मेव त्रिदशेश्वरम् ॥१२॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.32.12

Transliteration

atha bhrātaram avyagraṃ priyaṃ rāmaḥ priyaṃvadaḥ |

saumitriṃ tam uvācedaṃ brahmeva tridaśeśvaram ||12||

Translation

แล้วพระรามผู้มีวาจาอ่อนหวาน ผู้สงบไม่เร่งร้อน ได้ตรัสถ้อยคำนี้แก่พี่น้องอันเป็นที่รักคือเสามิตรี ประหนึ่งพระพรหมตรัสต่อจอมแห่งเทพทั้งสามสิบสาม

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Word by Word

• atha: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable (sequence marker)
• Role: Kāla/Anukrama (अनुक्रम)

• bhrātaram: brother
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• avyagram: unhurried / unagitated
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyagra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying bhrātaram
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• priyam: dear
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying bhrātaram
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

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

• priyaṃvadaḥ: sweet-speaking
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priyaṃ-vada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; बहुव्रीहि: priyaṃ vadati iti = sweet-speaking
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Bahuvrihi

• saumitriṃ: Saumitri (Lakshmana)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumitri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; patronymic of Lakshmana
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• tam: him
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; apposition to saumitriṃ
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• uvāca: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Singular
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• idam: this
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object/content of speech
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• brahmā: Brahma
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; subject of comparison
• Role: Upameya/Upamāna (उपमेय-सम्बन्ध)

• iva: like
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile marker
• Role: Upamādyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)

• tridaśeśvaram: lord of the gods (Indra)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tridaśa-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; tatpurusha: tridaśānām īśvaraḥ = lord of the gods (Indra)
• Role: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

Sandhi Notes

• tamuvāca → tam + uvāca
• uvācedaṃ → uvāca + idam
• brahmēva → brahmā + iva

Context

Sweet-tongued Rama calmly said to his brother (Lakshmana) like Brahmaaddressing Indra:

The teaching

Leadership is most effective when joined to sweetness of speech and unhurried composure.

Ethical theme

Nīti (conduct/leadership)

For your practice

Practice of priya-vākya and mental steadiness; useful for japa/vrata contexts emphasizing restraint in speech.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Majestic simile, calm authority, fraternal intimacy

Themes

• Dharma
• Ideal speech (vāg-dharma)
• Leadership
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)
• Brahmā
• Indra (Tridaśeśvara)

FAQs

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

Dharma of speech and leadership: authority is exercised without agitation, using measured and benevolent words—an ideal of righteous governance and counsel.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration introduces Rāma’s calm address to Lakshmaṇa, elevating the moment through a comparison to Brahmā speaking to Indra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Composure and gracious communication—Rāma’s steadiness under pressure models maryādā (propriety) and self-control.