Valmiki Ramayana 2.40.7 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 7

प्रयाणवर्णनम्

Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency

Devanagari script

इदं हि वृत्तमुचितं कुलस्यास्य सनातनम्।दानं दीक्षा च यज्ञेषु तनुत्यागो मृधेषु च।।।।

Transliteration

idaṁ hi vṛttam ucitaṁ kulasyāsya sanātanam |

dānaṁ dīkṣā ca yajñeṣu tanutyāgo mṛdheṣu ca ||

Translation

因为这正是你们家族自古相称的传统：布施施舍，在祭祀（yajña）中受持灌顶之戒（dīkṣā），并在战阵中以身（以命）奉献。

Word by Word

• idam: this
• idam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (emphasis/causal nuance)

• vṛttam: custom/practice
• vṛttam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛtta (कृदन्त; वृत्/वृत्त् धातु)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular; PPP used substantively: ‘practice/observance’

• ucitam: proper/befitting
• ucitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ucita (कृदन्त; वच्/उच् धातु in sense ‘be fitting’)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular; agreeing with vṛttam

• kulasya: of the family
• kulasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• asya: of this
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; demonstrative ‘of this’

• sanātanam: ancient/eternal
• sanātanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sanātana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular; agreeing with vṛttam

• dānam: charity
• dānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; appositional listing of the custom

• dīkṣā: initiation/consecration
• dīkṣā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dīkṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• yajñeṣu: in sacrifices
• yajñeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• tanu-tyāgaḥ: sacrifice of one’s body
• tanu-tyāgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tanu (प्रातिपदिक) + tyāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘giving up the body’

• mṛdheṣu: in battles
• mṛdheṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛdha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

Context

Charity, initiation at sacrifices and yielding life in battles are the befitting ancient traditions prevailing in your race.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma (contextually linked)
• kula (royal lineage)

FAQs

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

Dharma is continuity with righteous lineage-traditions: giving, ritual discipline, and courageous self-sacrifice when duty demands.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumitrā frames Lakṣmaṇa’s impending hardship as consistent with the long-standing ideals of their royal house.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-sacrifice and steadfastness: the verse elevates giving and readiness to endure suffering for duty.