Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 44: Sumitrā Consoles Kausalyā
Text 2.44.16
दैवतं दैवतानां च भूतानां भूतसत्तमः।
तस्य के ह्यगुणा देवि राष्ट्रे वाप्यथ वा पुरे॥
daivataṁ daivatānāṁ ca bhūtānāṁ bhūta-sattamaḥ
tasya ke hy aguṇā devi vane vāpy atha vā pure
daivatam = He is the deity; daivatānām = of the deities; ca = and; bhūtānām = among entities; bhūta-sattamaḥ = the best entity; tasya = for Him; ke hi = which; aguṇāḥ = obstacles exist; devi = O queen; vane vā api = in the forest; atha vā = or else; pure = in the city.
He is the deity of the deities and the best entity among entities. O queen, which obstacles exist for Him in the forest or else in the city?
“He is the deity of the deities” means “He is capable of carrying out the functions of all deities.” Bhūtānāṁ bhūta-sattamaḥ indicates that He is the supreme entity. Entity refers to existence; everyone’s existence depends on His existence. This is implied here.