Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.31 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 31

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

अस्माकं च कुले पूर्वं सगरस्याज्ञया पितुः।खनद्भिस्सागरैर्भूमिमवाप्तस्सुमहान्वधः।।2.21.31।।

Transliteration

asmākaṃ ca kule pūrvaṃ sagarasyājñayā pituḥ |

khanadbhiḥ sāgarair bhūmim avāptaḥ sumahān vadhaḥ || 2.21.31 ||

Translation

Trong chính dòng tộc chúng ta thuở trước, theo mệnh lệnh của phụ vương Sagara, các con trai của Sagara đào xới lòng đất và đã gặp cái chết vô cùng thảm khốc.

Word by Word

• अस्माकम्: of us / our
• अस्माकम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction): ‘and’

• कुले: in the lineage
• कुले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• पूर्वम्: formerly
• पूर्वम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrvam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘formerly/earlier’

• सगरस्य: of Sagara
• सगरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sagara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• आज्ञया: by the command
• आज्ञया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• पितुः: of (their) father
• पितुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• खनद्भिः: by (those) digging
• खनद्भिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: khanat (कृदन्त; √khan खन्)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘digging’ (agreeing with सागरैः)

• सागरैः: by Sagara's sons
• सागरैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāgara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘sons of Sagara’

• भूमिम्: the earth
• भूमिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अवाप्तः: was met with
• अवाप्तः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: avāpta (कृदन्त; √āp आप् + ava-)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘was obtained/was met with’ (agreeing with वधः)

• सुमहान्: very great
• सुमहान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su- (उपसर्ग/उपपद) + mahān (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (agreeing with वधः); ‘very great’

• वधः: slaughter
• वधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

Earlier the sons of Sagara, born in our family, while excavating the earth by the order of their father met a terrible death.

Characters & Entities

• Sagara
• sons of Sagara (Sāgaras)
• earth (bhūmi)
• father (of the Sāgaras)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the seriousness with which ancestral duty and obedience were undertaken, even at the risk of life—showing dharma as commitment, not convenience.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama continues citing precedents to persuade his mother that following a father’s command is an established path in their royal-ancestral tradition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance and resolve (dhṛti) in carrying out duty despite danger and loss.