Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 56, Shloka 23

बालकाण्ड ५६: विश्वामित्र–वसिष्ठ अस्त्रसंघर्षः

Visvamitra and Vasistha: Contest of Divine Weapons

Devanagari script

धिग्बलं क्षत्रियबलं ब्रह्मतेजो बलं बलम्।एकेन ब्रह्मदण्डेन सर्वास्त्राणि हतानि मे।।।।

Transliteration

dhig balaṃ kṣatriyabalaṃ brahmatejo balaṃ balam |

ekena brahmadaṇḍena sarvāstrāṇi hatāni me ||

Translation

“Fie upon the strength called kṣatriya might! Brahmin splendor alone is true strength. By a single Brahma-staff all my weapons have been destroyed.”

Word by Word

• dhik: fie upon
• dhik: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dhik (अव्यय)
• Form: निन्दार्थक-अव्यय (indeclinable interjection of censure)

• balam: strength
• balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc sg)

• kṣatriya-balam: kshatriya-strength
• kṣatriya-balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣatriya (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc sg)

• brahma-tejaḥ: brahmanic splendor
• brahma-tejaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Neuter, Nom sg)

• balam: (is) strength
• balam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc sg)

• balam: strength
• balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc sg)

• ekena: by one
• ekena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instrumental sg)

• brahma-daṇḍena: by Brahma's staff
• brahma-daṇḍena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (Instrumental sg)

• sarva-astrāṇi: all weapons
• sarva-astrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया बहुवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc pl)

• hatāni: were destroyed
• hatāni: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु) → hata (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय (predicate in passive)

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी एकवचन (Genitive sg)

Context

The incensed son of Gadhi employed varuna, raudra, aindra, pasupata and aishika weapons.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Brahmadaṇḍa

FAQs

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

True strength is moral-spiritual discipline, not domination; Dharma redefines power as inner mastery rather than external weaponry.

What is the narrative situation?

After his astras fail, Viśvāmitra acknowledges the supremacy of Vasiṣṭha’s brahma-tejas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility born of insight—Viśvāmitra recognizes a higher standard of power and begins a transformative resolve.