Valmiki Ramayana 2.15.14 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 14

अभिषेकसज्जा तथा सुमन्त्रस्य प्रेषणम्

Coronation Preparations and Sumantra’s Commission

Devanagari script

इक्ष्वाकूणां यथा राज्ये संभ्रियेताभिषेचनम्।।2.15.13।।तथाजातीयमादाय राजपुत्राभिषेचनम्।ते राजवचनात्तत्र समवेतामहीपतिम्।।2.15.14।।अपश्यन्तोऽब्रुवन् को नु राज्ञो नः प्रतिवेदयेत्।न पश्यामश्च राजानमुदितश्च दिवाकरः।।2.15.15।।यौवराज्याभिषेकश्च सज्जो रामस्य धीमतः।

Transliteration

ikṣvākūṇāṃ yathā rājyē saṃbhriyētābhiṣēcanam || 2.15.13 ||

tathājātīyam ādāya rājaputrābhiṣēcanam |

te rājavacanāt tatra samavētā mahīpatim || 2.15.14 ||

apaśyanto 'bruvan ko nu rājño naḥ prativēdayēt |

na paśyāmaś ca rājānam uditaś ca divākaraḥ || 2.15.15 ||

yauvarājyābhiṣēkaś ca sajjo rāmasya dhīmataḥ |

Translation

Gaya ng nakaugaliang paghahanda ng mga kasangkapan sa pag-aabhiseka sa kaharian ng angkan ni Ikṣvāku, gayon din tinipon ang nararapat na mga bagay para sa pag-aabhiseka ng prinsipe. Yaong mga nagtipon doon sa utos ng hari, nang hindi makita ang panginoon ng lupa, ay nagsabi: “Sino kaya ang magbabalita sa hari ng aming pagdating? Sumisikat na ang araw, ngunit hindi namin nakikita ang hari. At ang pag-aabhiseka ni Rāma, ang marunong at dakila, bilang tagapagmana, ay ganap nang nakahanda.”

Word by Word

• तथा: thus, similarly
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/so')

• जातीयम्: of that kind/pertaining to that lineage
• जातीयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जातीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• आदाय: having taken/bringing
• आदाय: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive, indeclinable), 'having taken/brought'

• राजपुत्राभिषेचनम्: the prince's consecration
• राजपुत्राभिषेचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजपुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिषेचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative: 'of the prince' + 'consecration'); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine) (contextual)

• राजवचनात्: from/by the king's command
• राजवचनात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ('king's word/command'); पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb: 'there')

• समवेताः: assembled
• समवेताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + अव + इ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past passive participle used adjectivally), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• महीपतिम्: the king
• महीपतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महीपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

Context

Just as articles necessary for the consecration of the descendants of the Ikshvakus, are customarily arranged in the kingdom, in the same way things were arranged for the coronation of the prince belonging to that race. All those who had assembled there in response to the order of the king could not see him and so they said to themselves 'Who will inform the king of our arrival. Everything is kept ready for consecration of the sagacious Rama as prince regent. The Sun has risen. But we do not find the king'.

FAQs

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

Dharma is the continuity of righteous tradition (kula-dharma/rāja-dharma): the consecration is prepared exactly as prescribed for the Ikṣvāku line, emphasizing legitimacy and fidelity to established truth and order.

What is the narrative situation?

All preparations for Rāma’s yuvarāja consecration are complete, and the invited assembly has arrived—yet King Daśaratha is unexpectedly absent even after sunrise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for authority and procedural correctness: the assembly seeks proper communication with the king rather than acting independently, showing deference to rightful command structures.