Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 59, Shloka 16

एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः

Devanagari script

हर्म्यैर्विमानैः प्रासादैरवेक्ष्यरथमागतम्।हाहाकारकृतानार्यो रामादर्शनकर्शिताः।।2.59.16।।

Transliteration

harmyair vimānaiḥ prāsādair avekṣya ratham āgatam |

hāhā-kāra-kṛtā nāryo rāmādarśana-karśitāḥ ||2.59.16||

Translation

妇女们从宅邸、高楼与宫殿中望见战车归来；因不见罗摩而备受煎熬，便发出哀号：“哀哉！哀哉！”

Word by Word

• harmyaiḥ: from mansions
• harmyaiḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण; locative-instrumental usage)
• Type: Noun
• Root: harmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘from/at mansions’ (instrumental of location/source)

• vimānaiḥ: from multi-storied buildings
• vimānaiḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vimāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• prāsādaiḥ: from palaces
• prāsādaiḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• avekṣya: having looked at/seen
• avekṣya: Kriyā (क्रिया; pūrvakāla)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√īkṣ (ईक्ष् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्; अव्ययकृदन्त)

• ratham: chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म/object of avekṣya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• āgatam: arrived
• āgatam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with ratham

• hāhākāra-kṛtāḥ: uttering cries of ‘alas’
• hāhākāra-kṛtāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hāhākāra (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ कृ, क्त)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with nāryaḥ; ‘having made the cry “hā hā”’

• nāryaḥ: women
• nāryaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• rāma-adarśana-karśitāḥ: afflicted by Rama's absence
• rāma-adarśana-karśitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक) + adarśana (प्रातिपदिक) + karśita (कृदन्त; √kṛś कृश्, क्त)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘afflicted by not seeing Rama’

Context

The women, with their large, bright eyes flooded with gushing tears looked in silence at one another in deep anguish.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• mansions (harmya)
• palaces (prāsāda)
• vimāna (multi-storied buildings)
• chariot

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how a dharmic leader becomes a refuge for society; when such a figure is removed, the community experiences moral and emotional dislocation.

What is the narrative situation?

Ayodhya’s women, expecting Rama, witness the chariot’s return without him and openly lament.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s compassion and public trustworthiness, implied by the intensity of grief at his absence.