Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 19

अष्टमः सर्गः

Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny

Devanagari script

तथेति चाब्रुवन्सर्वे मन्त्रिण:प्रत्यपूजयन्।पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य तद्वाक्यं यथाज्ञप्तं निशम्य ते।।।।

Transliteration

tatheti cābruvan sarve mantriṇaḥ pratyapūjayan |

pārthivendrasya tad vākyaṁ yathājñaptaṁ niśamya te ||

Translation

All the ministers, having heard the earth-lord’s command, honored his words and replied, “So be it—exactly as you have ordered.”

Word by Word

• tathā: so
• tathā: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; prakāra-avyaya

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; quotative particle (iti)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• abruvan: they said
• abruvan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect/Past/लङ्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahu-vacana; parasmaipada

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘mantriṇaḥ’

• mantriṇaḥ: ministers
• mantriṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana

• pratyapūjayan: they honored, paid respect
• pratyapūjayan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√pūj (पूज्)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahu-vacana; parasmaipada

• pārthivendrasya: of the lord of kings
• pārthivendrasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārthiva-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Eka-vacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘pārthiva’ (king) + ‘indra’ (lord)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘vākyaṃ’

• vākyam: statement, words
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana

• yathā: as
• yathā: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; ‘as, according to’

• ājñaptam: commanded, ordered
• ājñaptam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-√jñap (ज्ञप्) + kta (क्त) → ājñapta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kṛdanta PPP (क्त); Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘vākyaṃ’

• niśamya: having heard
• niśamya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√śam (शम्) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Kṛdanta: absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), ‘having heard’

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; sarvanāma

Context

While reflecting over the matter, a thought struck the magnanimous king: 'Why not invoke gods by performing a horse-sacrifice for a son'.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Ministers (Mantriṇaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma in governance is loyal execution of rightful commands: ministers show respect and commit to implementing the king’s lawful decision.

What is the narrative situation?

The ministers accept Daśaratha’s instructions regarding the sacrifice and affirm compliance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fidelity and administrative discipline—prompt assent to a righteous royal directive.