Valmiki Ramayana 2.68.11 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 11

दूतप्रेषणम् — Dispatch of Messengers to Kekaya

Bharata’s Recall

Devanagari script

ततः प्रास्थानिकं कृत्वा कार्यशेषमनन्तरम्।वसिष्ठेनाभ्यनुज्ञाता दूता स्संत्वरिता ययुः।।2.68.11।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prāsthānikaṃ kṛtvā kāryaśeṣam anantaram | vasiṣṭhenābhyanujñātā dūtāḥ saṃtvaritā yayuḥ ||

Translation

ครั้นจัดการงานที่เหลือเพื่อการออกเดินทางให้เสร็จสิ้นโดยพลัน และได้รับอนุญาตจากวสิษฐะแล้ว เหล่าทูตก็เร่งรุดออกไป

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक अव्यय

• प्रास्थानिकम्: departure arrangements
• प्रास्थानिकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रास्थानिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘journey-preparations’

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive)

• कार्यशेषम्: the remaining tasks
• कार्यशेषम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्यशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समास: कार्यस्य शेषम् (the remaining work)

• अनन्तरम्: immediately following / without delay
• अनन्तरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (to kāryaśeṣam)

• वसिष्ठेन: by Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठेन: Karana (करण/agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• अभ्यनुज्ञाताः: permitted/authorized
• अभ्यनुज्ञाताः: Kartr-visheshana (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि + अनु + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तृविशेषण (to dūtāḥ)

• दूताः: messengers
• दूताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• संत्वरिताः: in haste
• संत्वरिताः: Kartr-visheshana (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + त्वर् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘hastened’

• ययुः: went
• ययुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

Having completed the rest of the arrangements for the journey and permitted by Vasistha, the messengers left.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• dūtas (messengers)

FAQs

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

Respect for rightful authority and proper procedure: action is swift, but still authorized and orderly.

What is the narrative situation?

Messengers finalize travel logistics and depart after Vasiṣṭha formally authorizes the mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Obedience coupled with urgency—acting fast while remaining accountable to legitimate leadership.