Valmiki Ramayana 2.33.8 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 8

त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः

Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha

Devanagari script

या न शक्या पुरा द्रष्टुं भूतैराकाशगैरपि।तामद्य सीतां पश्यन्ति राजमार्गगता जनाः।।।।

Transliteration

yā na śakyā purā draṣṭuṃ bhūtair ākāśagair api | tām adya sītāṃ paśyanti rājamārgagatā janāḥ ||

Translation

Nàng mà thuở trước ngay cả các loài hữu tình bay giữa hư không cũng khó được thấy—thì hôm nay, dân chúng đi trên đại lộ hoàng gia lại có thể nhìn thấy chính Sītā ấy.

Word by Word

• yā: she who (Sita)
• yā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana (singular); relative pronoun

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya (negation particle/निषेध)

• śakyā: possible (to be)
• śakyā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakya (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √śak शक्)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; kṛtya-pratyaya (potential/passive adjective), meaning 'possible to be'

• purā: formerly, earlier
• purā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (adverb of time)

• draṣṭum: to see
• draṣṭum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/infinitival purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश्) + tumun (तुमुन्)
• Form: Tumunanta infinitive (तुमुनन्त-अव्ययकृदन्त); 'to see'

• bhūtaiḥ: by beings/creatures
• bhūtaiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana (plural)

• ākāśagaiḥ: sky-going (flying)
• ākāśagaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ākāśa (प्रातिपदिक) + ga (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √gam गम्)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound: ākāśa-gāḥ 'sky-going'; Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; qualifying bhūtaiḥ

• api: even, also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya/Avadhāraṇa-avyaya (particle: 'even/also')

• tām: that (her)
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana; demonstrative pronoun

• adya: today, now
• adya: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (adverb of time)

• sītām: Sita
• sītām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• paśyanti: see, behold
• paśyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (पश्)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (present/लट्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Bahuvacana (plural), Parasmaipada

• rājamārgagatāḥ: those on the royal road
• rājamārgagatāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāja-mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + gata (कृदन्त; √gam गम्)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound: rāja-mārga-gatāḥ 'gone on the king’s road'; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; past passive participle used adjectivally

• janāḥ: people
• janāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

Context

It was not possible even for the creatures wandering in the sky (birds) to have a glimpse of Sita before. Now passers-by walking the highway can behold her.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma’s consequences become publicly visible: royal privacy and luxury give way to humility and exposure when the family accepts righteous hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā, previously secluded within palace norms, is now seen openly on the main road as she accompanies Rāma toward exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfast companionship and willingness to share dharmic hardship alongside Rāma.