Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 44

सत्यपाशः

Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise

Devanagari script

तं तु पूर्वोदितं वृध्दं द्वारस्था राज सम्मतम्।।।।न शेकुरभिसंरोध्दुं राज्ञः प्रियचिकीर्षवः।

Transliteration

taṃ tu pūrvoditaṃ vṛddhaṃ dvārasthā rājasammatam |

na śekur abhisaṃroddhuṃ rājñaḥ priyacikīrṣavaḥ ||

Translation

然而守门之人——一心成就国王所爱之事的善意侍从——也无法拦住那位年迈的苏曼特罗；他早已到来，且深得王恩。

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• तु: but; however
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• पूर्वोदितम्: who had come earlier
• पूर्वोदितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व + उदित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (पूर्वः उदितः); क्त-प्रत्यय कृदन्त (past participle) ‘arisen/come’; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वृद्धम्: aged; old
• वृद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• द्वारस्थाः: doorkeepers
• द्वारस्थाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष (द्वारे स्थाः = stationed at the door); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• राजसम्मतम्: approved by the king
• राजसम्मतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजन् + सम्मत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (राज्ञः सम्मतः = approved by the king); क्त-प्रत्यय कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• शेकुः: were able
• शेकुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शक् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• अभिसंरोद्धुम्: to detain; to block
• अभिसंरोद्धुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + सम् + रुध् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्यय (infinitive), कर्मप्रवचनपूर्वक (with preverbs)

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• प्रियचिकीर्षवः: wishing to do what was pleasing (to the king)
• प्रियचिकीर्षवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय + चिकीर्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्राय (प्रियं चिकीर्षवः = wishing to do what is dear); इच्छार्थक कृदन्त ‘चिकीर्षु’ (desiderative agent noun); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (द्वारस्थाः)

Context

The doorkeepers, beloved wellwishers of the king, did not detain aged Sumantra who was liked by the king and who had arrived early.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma here is loyal service within rightful hierarchy: attendants act in accordance with the king’s wishes and established trust, not merely rigid obstruction.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra arrives early at the palace and is allowed to pass the doorkeepers to approach King Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The doorkeepers’ loyal discretion (knowing whom to admit) and Sumantra’s respected standing earned through faithful service.