Valmiki Ramayana 2.18.38 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 38

अष्टादशः सर्गः

Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration

Devanagari script

भरतः कोसलपुरे प्रशास्तु वसुधामिमाम्।नानारत्न समाकीर्णां सवाजिरथकुञ्जराम्।।।।

Transliteration

bharataḥ kosalapure praśāstu vasudhām imām | nānārत्नasamākīrṇāṁ savājirathakuñjarām ||

Translation

“Hãy để Bharata trị vì cõi đất này tại thành Kosala (Ayodhyā)—vương quốc rực rỡ đủ loại châu báu, sung túc ngựa, xe và voi.”

Word by Word

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्तन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याशब्द (indeclinable-like), विशेषणम्—वर्षाणि

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्तन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याशब्द, विशेषणम्—वर्षाणि

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• वर्षाणि: years
• वर्षाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; कालपरिमाणम्

• दण्डकारण्यम्: Dandaka forest
• दण्डकारण्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्डक + अरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आश्रितः: having resorted to
• आश्रितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + श्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः—आश्रितः (having taken refuge)

• अभिषेकम्: consecration
• अभिषेकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्—अभिषेकम्

• त्यक्त्वा: having abandoned
• त्यक्त्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive/gerund), अर्थः—त्यक्त्वा (having abandoned)

• जटा-अजिन-धरः: wearing matted hair and deerskin
• जटा-अजिन-धरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जटा (प्रातिपदिक) + अजिन (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (जटां च अजिनं च धरति इति), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्—(त्वम्)

• वस: live
• वस: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

Context

Maharaja (Dasaratha) with his senses dulled had become emaciated due to sorrow and suffering. With an agitated and troubled mind, he was breathing heavily. Although unshakable, he looked agitated like an ocean with successive rows of waves, like the Sun in eclipse, like an ascetic who has uttered falsehood.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kosala
• Ayodhya
• Rama

FAQs

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

It frames a claim about rajadharma (who should rule). In the larger episode, the tension is between political power and the higher dharma of truth-keeping and rightful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī states her demand that Bharata should rule Ayodhyā, implying Rāma’s removal from succession.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, it sets up Rāma’s virtue: renunciation and commitment to dharma despite the lure of a wealthy kingdom.