Shloka 2

निमित्तदर्शनम्

Portents Before the March to Laṅkā

Devanagari script

निमित्तानिपरिगृह्योदकंशीतंवनानिफलवन्तिच ।बलौघंसंविभज्येमंव्यूह्यतिष्ठेमलक्ष्मण ।।6.23.2।।

Transliteration

nimittāni parigṛhya udakaṁ śītaṁ vanāni phalavanti ca | balaughaṁ saṁvibhajya imaṁ vyūhya tiṣṭhema lakṣmaṇa ||

Translation

“ดูลักษมณ์ เมื่อพิจารณานิมิตเหล่านี้แล้ว จงจัดตั้งที่มั่น ณ ที่มีน้ำเย็นและป่าอันมีผลไม้ จากนั้นจงแบ่งกองทัพมหึมานี้ จัดเป็นกระบวนทัพ (วยูหะ) แล้วให้เรายืนหยัดเตรียมพร้อม”

Word by Word

• निमित्तानि: omens
• निमित्तानि: कर्म (Karma/Object of ‘परिगृह्य’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निमित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• परिगृह्य: having considered/accepted
• परिगृह्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund)

• उदकम्: water
• उदकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object: to be taken/secured)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शीतम्: cool
• शीतम्: विशेषण (to ‘उदकम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (to ‘उदकम्’)

• वनानि: forests
• वनानि: कर्म (Karma/Object: to be occupied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• फलवन्ति: fruit-bearing
• फलवन्ति: विशेषण (to ‘वनानि’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (to ‘वनानि’)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• बलौघम्: mass of troops
• बलौघम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of ‘संविभज्य’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल + ओघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (बलस्य ओघः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• संविभज्य: having divided
• संविभज्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + विभज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund)

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: विशेषण (to ‘बलौघम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (to ‘बलौघम्’)

• व्यूह्य: having arranged in formation
• व्यूह्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यूह्/विह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund); ‘व्यूह’ (array/form ranks)

• तिष्ठेम: let us stay/stand
• तिष्ठेम: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative) / विधिलिङ्-प्राय (hortative sense), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• लक्ष्मण: O Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मण: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Context

"Lakshmana! the stars devoid of brightness are indicating as though it is the time of dissolution of the universe?"

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Dharma here is responsible leadership: Rama reads the situation carefully (omens and logistics) and protects his forces by ordering water, food, and disciplined formation rather than reckless advance.

What is the narrative situation?

On the eve of major conflict near Laṅkā, Rama notices ominous signs and instructs Lakṣmaṇa to secure resources and arrange the army in a proper battle order.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s prudence and command—strategic foresight joined with care for the wellbeing and order of his troops.