Valmiki Ramayana 2.47.13 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 47, Shloka 13

अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः

Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence

Devanagari script

ततो मार्गानुसारेण गत्वा किञ्चित् क्षणं पुनः।मार्गनाशाद्विषादेन महता समभिप्लुताः।।।।

Transliteration

tato mārgānusāreṇa gatvā kiñcit kṣaṇaṃ punaḥ | mārga-nāśād viṣādena mahatā samabhiplutāḥ || 2.47.13 ||

Translation

پھر وہ کچھ لمحے تک نشانِ راہ کے مطابق چلے، مگر راستے کا سراغ گم ہو گیا؛ اور اسی وقت وہ عظیم مایوسی میں ڈوب گئے۔

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (then/thereafter)

• mārgānusāreṇa: by following the path
• mārgānusāreṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (मार्ग) + anusāra (अनुसार प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुषः (मार्गस्य अनुसारः); पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (by following the track)

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having gone)

• kiñcit: a little
• kiñcit: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kiñcit (किञ्चित् अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (a little)

• kṣaṇam: a moment
• kṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaṇa (क्षण प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कालपरिमाणम्

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: पुनरावृत्तिवाचक-अव्यय (again)

• mārgānāśāt: due to losing the way
• mārgānāśāt: Hetu (हेतुः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (मार्ग) + nāśa (नाश प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुषः (मार्गस्य नाशः); पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (ablative), एकवचनम् (from/owing to loss of the path)

• viṣādena: with despondency
• viṣādena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣāda (विषाद प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• mahatā: great
• mahatā: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahant (महत् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विषादेन इति विशेषणम्

• samabhiplutāḥ: were overwhelmed
• samabhiplutāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-abhi-plu (सम्-अभि-प्लु धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; कर्मणि-भावः (were overwhelmed)

Context

For a short while they followed the tracks (of the chariot) and after having gone a little distance, they missed the way. They were again submerged in deep sorrow.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhya citizens
• Rama (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as perseverance in loyalty: even when circumstances obstruct them, the citizens strive to remain aligned with the righteous path (symbolized by following Rama’s track).

What is the narrative situation?

The group follows the chariot’s traces briefly but loses them, leading to renewed grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination and faithful pursuit—effort made despite uncertainty and emotional pain.