Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 6

जनकदूतागमनम्

The Arrival of Janaka’s Messengers in Ayodhya

Devanagari script

मैथिलो जनको राजा साग्निहोत्रपुरस्कृतम् ।कुशलं चाव्ययं चैव सोपाध्यायपुरोहितम्।।1.68.5।।मुहुर्मुहुर्मधुरया स्नेहसंयुक्तया गिरा।जनकस्त्वां महाराज पृच्छते सपुरस्सरम्।।1.68.6।।

Transliteration

maithilo janako rājā sāgnihotra-puraskṛtam |

kuśalaṁ cāvyayaṁ caiva sopādhyāya-purohitam || 1.68.5 ||

muhur muhur madhurayā sneha-saṁyuktayā girā |

janakas tvāṁ mahārāja pṛcchate sa-puraḥsaram || 1.68.6 ||

Translation

“O great king, Janaka of Mithilā—placing the sacred fire and its rites foremost—repeatedly enquires, in sweet words filled with affection, after your welfare and lasting prosperity, as well as that of your teachers and household priests, together with your attendants.”

Word by Word

• पृष्ट्वा: having asked
• पृष्ट्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √प्रच्छ् (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund), ‘having asked’

• कुशलम्: welfare
• कुशलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अव्यग्रम्: undisturbed/diligently
• अव्यग्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कुशलम् इति विशेषणम्

• वैदेहः: the Videhan (Janaka)
• वैदेहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मिथिला-अधिपः: lord of Mithilā
• मिथिला-अधिपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मिथिला (प्रातिपदिक) + अधिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मिथिलायाः अधिपः)

• कौशिक-अनुमते: with Kauśika's permission
• कौशिक-अनुमते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; under permission)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिक (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुमति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (कौशिकस्य अनुमतिः)

• वाक्यम्: words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भवन्तम्: to you
• भवन्तम्: Karma (कर्म; addressed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (honorific ‘you’)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

All the maharshis and the ministers said, 'certainly so'. And the king, overwhelmed with joy, said, "we start tomorrow".

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Mithilā
• Daśaratha
• Upādhyāyas (teachers)
• Purohitas (priests)

FAQs

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

Dharma is mutual honoring among righteous kings: Janaka’s enquiry includes priests and teachers, showing that a kingdom’s well-being is tied to the protection of sacred learning and ritual integrity.

What is the narrative situation?

The envoys formally convey Janaka’s courteous greeting and welfare-enquiry to Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s dharmic kingship—piety (agnihotra foremost), humility, and affectionate respect toward another ruler and his spiritual community.