Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 69, Shloka 13

एकोनसप्ततितमः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Departure to Videha and Marriage Arrangements

Devanagari script

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ऋषिमध्ये नराधिप:।।।।वाक्यं वाक्यविदां श्रेष्ठ: प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम्।

Transliteration

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ṛṣimadhye narādhipaḥ |

vākyaṁ vākyavidāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ pratyuvāca mahīpatim || 1.69.13 ||

Translation

Having heard those words, the lord of men—excellent among those skilled in speech—replied to the king in the midst of the sages.

Word by Word

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• tad: that
• tad: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम-विशेषण, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘vacanam’

• vacanam: speech/words
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund), ‘having heard’

• ṛṣimadhye: among the sages
• ṛṣimadhye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi + madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘in the midst of sages’

• narādhipaḥ: the king
• narādhipaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara + adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vākyam: a reply/statement
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vākyavidām: of the eloquent
• vākyavidām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya + vid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन; ‘of those skilled in speech’

• śreṣṭhaḥ: the best
• śreṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘narādhipaḥ’

• pratyuvāca: replied
• pratyuvāca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati√vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• mahīpatim: to the lord of the earth (king)
• mahīpatim: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; addressee as object of speaking

Context

At these words, the most eloquent king (Dasaratha) made his reply in the midst of sages:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Janaka (mahīpati)
• sages (ṛṣayaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma of sabhā (assembly conduct): important agreements are affirmed publicly before sages, ensuring accountability and truthfulness.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha prepares to respond to Janaka’s proposal about conducting the marriage rites.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s measured, respectful speech in a sacred and public setting.