Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 116, Shloka 2

तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च

Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas

Devanagari script

ये तत्र चित्रकूटस्य पुरस्तात्तापसाश्रमे।राममाश्रित्य निरतास्तानलक्षयदुत्सुकान्।।2.116.2।।

Transliteration

ye tatra citrakūṭasya purastāt tāpasāśrame |

rāmam āśritya niratās tān alakṣayad utsukān ||2.116.2||

Translation

在那里，在奇多罗拘吒之前的苦行林精舍中，罗摩看见那些依止于他、愿意停留的圣仙，如今却忧惧不安、心神骚动。

Word by Word

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धि-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• चित्रकूटस्य: of Chitrakuta
• चित्रकूटस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रकूट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• पुरस्तात्: in front
• पुरस्तात्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरस्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (in front)

• तापस-आश्रमे: in the ascetics' hermitage
• तापस-आश्रमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापस (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: तापसानाम् आश्रमः); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• रामम्: Rama
• रामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आश्रित्य: having taken refuge in
• आश्रित्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-श्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); ‘having resorted to / having taken refuge in’

• निरताः: engaged/intent
• निरताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विशेषण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘ये’)

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• अलक्षयत्: noticed/observed
• अलक्षयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• उत्सुकान्: anxious/eager
• उत्सुकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्सुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘तान्’)

Context

Rama observed that the sages who earlier sought to stay with him near his hermitageunder his protection on chitrakuta were filled with anxiety (now).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Citrakūṭa
• ṛṣis (sages)

FAQs

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

The dharma of refuge and protection: sages rely on righteous kings/warriors for safety so spiritual truth (satya) and austerity can continue unhindered.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma sees a change in the sages’ demeanor at the Citrakūṭa hermitage: those who had settled under his protection are now visibly anxious.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s attentiveness and compassion: he notices the distress of those under his protection, signaling responsible guardianship.