Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 36

सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम्

Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King

Devanagari script

ततो वादित्रशब्दाश्च स्तुतिशब्दाश्च वन्दिनाम्।।।।सिंहनादाश्च शूराणां तदा शुश्रुविरे पथि।

Transliteration

tato vāditraśabdāś ca stutiśabdāś ca vandinām |

siṃhanādāś ca śūrāṇāṃ tadā śuśruvire pathi ||

Translation

随后，路上响起乐器之声，又有颂赞的歌咏从吟游诗人处传来，并伴随勇士们如狮般的吼声。

Word by Word

• harmya-vātāyana-sthābhiḥ: by women standing at mansion-windows
• harmya-vātāyana-sthābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: harmya (प्रातिपदिक) + vātāyana (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (कृदन्त; √sthā (धातु), kta/ta as sthita-like; here sthā as 'standing' in feminine plural stem sthā)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa = harmyasya vātāyane sthitābhiḥ; instrumental qualifying strībhiḥ (women standing at mansion-windows)

• bhūṣitābhiḥ: by adorned (women)
• bhūṣitābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūṣita (कृदन्त; √bhūṣ (धातु), kta)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; adjective qualifying strībhiḥ

• samantataḥ: from all sides
• samantataḥ: Deśa (देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya

• kīryamāṇaḥ: being showered
• kīryamāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṝ (धातु) (to scatter)
• Form: Present passive participle (यमान/मान), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; qualifying arindamaḥ; 'being showered/scattered upon'

• su-puṣpa-oghaiḥ: with heaps of fine flowers
• su-puṣpa-oghaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + ogha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa = puṣpāṇām oghaiḥ; with su- as intensifier; instrumental of means with kīryamāṇaḥ

• yayau: went
• yayau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect; 3rd person, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• strībhiḥ: by women
• strībhiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; agent in passive sense with kīryamāṇaḥ (by women)

• arindamaḥ: subduer of enemies (Rama)
• arindamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ari (प्रातिपदिक) + dama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi = yo 'rīn damayati saḥ; epithet of Rāma; subject of yayau

Context

Soldiers, anointing their bodies with pastes of sandal and aloe wood, equipped with armour and holding swords and bows, went ahead heralding his (Rama's) arrival.

Characters & Entities

• warriors (śūrāḥ)

FAQs

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

Public celebration becomes a moral affirmation: praise and ritual sound mark communal recognition of rightful authority and shared values (satya and dharma embodied in the prince).

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma proceeds, the city’s ceremonial atmosphere is conveyed through music, eulogies, and martial acclamations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective reverence for virtue—society honors what it recognizes as righteous leadership.