Valmiki Ramayana 2.17.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 2

रामस्य राजमार्गगमनम्

Rama’s Progress along the Royal Highway

Setting: Ayodhya royal road (rāja-mārga)Procession/approach toward palace precincts

Devanagari script

स गृहैरभ्रसङ्काशैः पाण्डुरैरुपशोभितम् ॥२॥

राजमार्गं ययौ रामो मध्येनागरुधूपितम् ।

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.17.2

Transliteration

sa gṛhair abhra-saṅkāśaiḥ pāṇḍurair upaśobhitam ||2||

rāja-mārgaṃ yayau rāmo madhyenāgaru-dhūpitam |

Translation

رام شاہی راہ سے گزرا جو اگرو کی خوشبو سے معطر تھی؛ اس کے دونوں جانب ابر کی مانند سفید و روشن گھروں کی قطاریں اسے اور بھی دلکش بنا رہی تھیں۔

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Word by Word

• सः: he/that (Rama)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)

• गृहैः: by/with houses
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन
• Role: Karana (करण/Instrument)

• अभ्रसङ्काशैः: resembling clouds
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सङ्काश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग (agreeing with गृहैः), तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अभ्रवत् सङ्काशः = cloud-like)
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of गृहैः)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• पाण्डुरैः: pale-white
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाण्डुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग (agreeing with गृहैः), तृतीया, बहुवचन
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of गृहैः)

• उपशोभितम्: adorned/beautified
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-शुभ्/शोभ् (धातु)
• Form: कर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of राजमार्गम्)
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)

• राजमार्गम्: royal highway
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञः मार्गः = royal road)
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• ययौ: went/proceeded
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)

• रामः: Rama
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)

• मध्येन: through the middle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverbial instrumental) = ‘through the middle’
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative sense)

• अगरुधूपितम्: perfumed with agaru-incense
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अगरु (प्रातिपदिक) + धूपित (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अगरुणा धूपितम्)
• Role: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

Sandhi Notes

• गृहैरभ्रसङ्काशैः = गृहैः + अभ्रसङ्काशैः
• पाण्डुरैरुपशोभितम् = पाण्डुरैः + उपशोभितम्
• राजमार्गं = राजमार्गम्
• मध्येनागरुधूपितम् = मध्येन + अगरुधूपितम्

Context

That Rama, proceeded down the middle of the highway made fragrant with agaru and incense, lined with houses gleaming pale white like clouds.

The teaching

A well-ordered city and auspicious public space reflect righteous governance; dharma expresses itself in civic beauty and restraint.

Ethical theme

Rāja-dharma (civic order)

For your practice

Aids smaraṇa of Rāma in everyday movement—bringing mindfulness to ordinary paths as 'rāja-mārga' of disciplined living.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shringara (love)

Mood

Fragrant, bright, festive

Themes

• Itihasa
• Cityscape
• Maryada
• Dharma (ordered civic life)

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• agaru (fragrant wood/incense)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as civic order and auspiciousness: the well-kept royal road symbolizes a society aligned with righteous rule and cultural refinement.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama is traveling through Ayodhya on the main royal thoroughfare toward the palace area.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Public dignity and restraint: Rama’s steady movement through the city reflects disciplined princely conduct.