Valmiki Ramayana 2.19.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 3

एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency

Devanagari script

इदं तु ज्ञातुमिच्छामि किमर्थं मां महीपतिः ।

नाभिनन्दति दुर्धर्षो यथापूर्वमरिन्दमः ॥३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.19.3

Transliteration

idaṃ tu jñātum icchāmi kimarthaṃ māṃ mahīpatiḥ |

nābhinandati durdharṣo yathāpūrvam arindamaḥ ||3||

Translation

میں یہ جاننا چاہتا ہوں کہ مہاپتی—جو ناقابلِ تسخیر اور دشمنوں کو دبانے والا ہے—مجھے پہلے کی طرح کیوں خوش آمدید نہیں کہتا؟

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Word by Word

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; object of इच्छामि

• तु: however
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• ज्ञातुम्: to know
• ज्ञातुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु)
• Form: Tumun infinitive (तुमुन्)

• इच्छामि: I wish
• इच्छामि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (present), Parasmaipada, Uttama-puruṣa, Eka-vacana

• किमर्थम्: why
• किमर्थम्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Interrogative adverb formed as tatpuruṣa-like compound; avyaya usage meaning ‘for what reason’

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana

• महीपतिः: the king; lord of the earth
• महीपतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negative particle

• अभिनन्दति: greets; welcomes
• अभिनन्दति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-nand (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra, Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Eka-vacana

• दुर्धर्षः: unassailable
• दुर्धर्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur + dharṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya compound ‘hard to assail’; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; adjective of महीपतिः

• यथापूर्वम्: as before; as usual
• यथापूर्वम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā + pūrva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially

• अरिन्दमः: enemy-subduer
• अरिन्दमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ari + dama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound ‘subduer of enemies’; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Eka-vacana; adjective of महीपतिः

Context

Nevertheless I would like to know why king Dasaratha, an unassailable subduer of enemies does not greet me as usual.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Dasharatha (mahīpatiḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is attentiveness to right relationship and rightful conduct: Rama notices a deviation in the king’s customary courtesy and seeks the truth behind it without anger, showing respect for paternal and royal decorum.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama has come to meet Dasharatha, but perceives that the king is not welcoming him in the usual manner; Rama asks why this change has occurred.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s restraint and respect (maryādā): he inquires calmly and truth-seeking (satya-anveṣaṇa) rather than reacting impulsively.