Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 22

अभिषेकोपवास-आदेशः

Coronation Preparations and the Fast Enjoined

Devanagari script

सिताभ्रशिखरप्रख्यं प्रासादमधिरुह्य सः।समीयाय नरेन्द्रेण शक्रेणेव बृहस्पतिः।।।।

Transliteration

sitābhra-śikhara-prakhyaṃ prāsādam adhiruhya saḥ |

samīyāya narendreṇa śakreṇeva bṛhaspatiḥ ||

Translation

Umakyat siya sa palasyong wari’y tuktok ng bundok na napuputungan ng mapuputing ulap, at lumapit sa hari—gaya ni Bṛhaspati na lumalapit kay Śakra (Indra).

Word by Word

• सित-अभ्र-शिखर-प्रख्यम्: resembling a peak with white clouds
• सित-अभ्र-शिखर-प्रख्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शिखर (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (उपमानार्थे: सिताभ्रशिखरवत् प्रख्यः)

• प्रासादम्: the palace
• प्रासादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अधिरुह्य: having ascended
• अधिरुह्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि-रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वक्रिया

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• समीयाय: met/approached
• समीयाय: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-इ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• नरेन्द्रेण: with the king
• नरेन्द्रेण: Saha (सह/सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/सह), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (नराणाम् इन्द्रः)

• शक्रेण: with Indra (as comparator)
• शक्रेण: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Upamana-dyotaka (उपमानद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय

• बृहस्पतिः: Brihaspati
• बृहस्पतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बृहस्पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Context

Venerabel Vasistha, the best amongst the knowers of the Vedas, skilled in mantras and firm in his vows said to the king, 'Be it so.' Thereafter, mounted on the best of the chariots befitting a brahmin, with horses harnesed he proceeded personally to the abode of Rama to ask him to undertake a fast in accompaniment with mantras preceding the installation ceremony.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha
• Bṛhaspati
• Śakra/Indra
• Prāsāda (palace)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the harmonious partnership of spiritual counsel and royal power: the priest approaches the king as a guide, suggesting governance should be aligned with wisdom and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha goes up to the palace and meets King Daśaratha, described through a divine analogy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse highlights dignified authority: Vasiṣṭha’s spiritual stature and the king’s eminent position, ideally cooperating for righteous rule.