Valmiki Ramayana 2.20.34 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 34

अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः

Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile

Devanagari script

उपावृत्त्योत्थितां दीनां बडबामिव वाहिताम्।पांसुकुण्ठितसर्वाङ्गीं विममर्श च पाणिना।।।।

Transliteration

upāvṛttyotthitāṃ dīnāṃ baḍabām iva vāhitām | pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīṃ vimamarśa ca pāṇinā ||

Translation

زمین پر لوٹ کر اٹھی ہوئی، نہایت بے بس—گویا بوجھ کھینچتی ہوئی تھکی ماندی گھوڑی—اور گرد سے اٹے ہوئے سارے بدن والی، اسے رام نے اپنے ہاتھ سے نرمی سے سہلایا اور پونچھا۔

Word by Word

• upāvṛttya: having rolled about
• upāvṛttya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + ā + √vṛt (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा) ‘having rolled/turned (on the ground)’

• utthitām: risen/standing up
• utthitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud + √sthā (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying (tām)

• dīnām: wretched
• dīnām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying (tām)

• baḍabām: a mare
• baḍabām: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: baḍabā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; upamāna

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparison particle

• vāhitām: made to bear (a load)
• vāhitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vah (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative, Singular; ‘made to carry/dragged’ qualifying (tām)

• pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīm: with all limbs dust-covered
• pāṃsukuṇṭhitasarvāṅgīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāṃsu + kuṇṭhita + sarva + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular; bahuvrīhi ‘one whose whole body is dulled/covered by dust’

• vimamarśa: touched/caressed
• vimamarśa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + √mṛś (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (perfect), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha/Avyaya (अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• pāṇinā: with (his) hand
• pāṇinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

Context

Rama gently wiped away the dust that had covered her body as Kausalya stood miserable, like a mare who stands up after having rolled on the ground while pulling the load.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Kausalya

FAQs

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

Gentleness as dharma in action: Rama’s righteousness is not only in keeping vows but in tender, hands-on care for the suffering—especially one’s parents.

What is the narrative situation?

After Kausalya collapses and rises dust-covered, Rama physically comforts her, wiping away dust and soothing her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mṛdutā (gentleness) and attentive filial compassion.