Valmiki Ramayana 2.46.11: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 11
तमसातीरवासः · Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens
Spoken by Rama to SumantraSetting: Tamasā riverbank (near Ayodhyā region, first night of exile route)Places named: TamasāEarly forest-ward departure; first halt after leaving the city
एवमुक्त्वा तु सौमित्रिं सुमन्त्रमपि राघवः ।
अप्रमत्तस्त्वमश्वेषु भव सौम्येत्युवाच ह ॥११॥
evam uktvā tu saumitriṃ sumantram api rāghavaḥ |
apramattas tvam aśveṣu bhava saumya ity uvāca ha ||11||
ครั้นตรัสดังนี้แก่เสามิตรี (พระลักษมณ์) แล้ว พระรามผู้เป็นราฆวะก็ตรัสแก่สุมันตระด้วยว่า “สหายผู้สุภาพเอ๋ย จงอย่าประมาท เฝ้าระวังม้าให้ดีเถิด”
Sandhi Notes
- सुमन्त्रम् + अपि → सुमन्त्रमपि
- अप्रमत्तः + त्वम् → अप्रमत्तस्त्वम् (विसर्ग-सन्धि)
- त्वम् + अश्वेषु → त्वमश्वेषु
- सौम्य + इति + उवाच → सौम्येत्युवाच (यण्/स्वर-सन्धि)
Having said so to Lakshmana, he turned to Sumantra to say O gentle friend, tend the horses with care.
The teaching
Even in hardship, dharma is upheld through apramāda—careful attention to dependents and resources.
- Ethical theme
- Duty of care / stewardship
For your practice
Practice of apramāda: mindful care of one’s ‘vehicles’ (body, senses, tools) as part of disciplined living.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Watchful, orderly, restrained
Themes
- Dharma
- Responsibility
- Stewardship
- Ethics
- Itihasa
Apramāda as a safeguard for sādhana—careful attention to instruments (indriya/vehicle) mirrors guarding the mind.
Kaṭha Upaniṣad chariot allegory: horses as senses requiring vigilant control.
Sāyankāla
- Rama and Lakshmana
- Elder brother instructing younger brother (protective leadership) (calmly directive, trusting)
- Rama and Sumantra
- Prince commanding royal charioteer/ministerial attendant (respectful command, reliance)
- Sumantra and Horses
- Caretaker stewardship of royal animals (sevā) (attentive responsibility)
Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.3-1.3.9 (ratha-kalpanā)
apramāda praised in Dharma/Upaniṣadic contexts
Ayodhyākāṇḍa 2.46.12-15 (night halt procedures on Tamasā); Ayodhyākāṇḍa 2.47 (continuation of exile journey)
Anuṣṭup
Commanding
Madhyama-gati with firm udātta on imperative phrases
FAQs
Dharma includes vigilance in one’s entrusted duties: even during exile, responsibilities (like animal care) must be performed carefully.
After deciding his own austerity for the night, Rāma ensures practical arrangements by instructing Sumantra to watch over the horses.
Practical wisdom and accountability: Rāma combines spiritual resolve with attentive management of immediate needs.
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