Valmiki Ramayana 2.17.16: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 16

रामस्य राजमार्गगमनम्

Rama’s Progress along the Royal Highway

Devanagari script

चतुष्पथान्देवपथांश्चैत्यान्यायतनानि च।।।।प्रदक्षिणं परिहरन् जगाम नृपते स्सुतः।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.17.16

Transliteration

catuṣpathān deva-pathāṃś caityāny āyatanāni ca | pradakṣiṇaṃ pariharan jagāma nṛpateḥ sutaḥ ||

Translation

بادشاہ کا بیٹا آگے بڑھا اور چوراہوں، دیو-پتھوں (مندر کی راہوں)، چَیتیہوں اور پوجا کے آستانوں کو دائیں جانب رکھ کر ادب سے پردکشن کرتا ہوا گزر گیا۔

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Word by Word

• catuṣpathān: four-way crossings
• catuṣpathān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catuṣpatha (चतुष्पथ-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः द्विगुः (catuṣ + patha), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (Acc. pl.)

• devapathān: roads to shrines/temples
• devapathān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva-patha (देवपथ-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी: देवानां पथाः / देवस्य पथः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (Acc. pl.)

• caityān: monuments; sacred spots
• caityān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caitya (चैत्य-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (Acc. pl.)

• āyatanāni: sanctuaries; temples
• āyatanāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyatana (आयतन-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन (Acc. pl.)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• pradakṣiṇam: clockwise; to the right
• pradakṣiṇam: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pradakṣiṇa (प्रदक्षिण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative) = 'keeping to the right / clockwise'

• pariharan: passing by; going around
• pariharan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-hṛ (परि+हृ-धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg.)

• jagāma: went
• jagāma: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (गम्-धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• nṛpateḥ: of the king
• nṛpateḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpati (नृपति-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन (Gen. sg.)

• sutaḥ: son
• sutaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (सुत-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg.)

Context

The son of the king proceeded, leaving on his right, squares (intersections of four roads), and roads leading to temples, monuments and shrines too.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• caitya (monuments)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes reverence expressed through correct conduct: Rama honors sacred spaces and public religious sites through respectful movement (pradakṣiṇā-bhāva).

What is the narrative situation?

While moving through the city, Rama passes intersections and sacred sites, maintaining traditional etiquette toward them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maryādā (propriety): Rama’s discipline in small acts reflects inner reverence and cultural responsibility.