Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 18

Saptajana-āśrama Darśana and the Approach to Kiṣkindhā

Hermitage of Seven Sages; March toward Vāli’s Capital

Devanagari script

अत्र सप्तजना नाम मुनय स्संश्रितव्रताः।सप्तैवासन्नधशशीर्षा नियतं जलशायिनः4.13.18।।

Transliteration

atra saptajanā nāma munayaḥ saṃśrita-vratāḥ | saptaivāsann adhaḥśīrṣā niyataṃ jalaśāyinaḥ ||

Translation

Here lived seven sages, known as the Saptajana, devoted to firm vows—each of the seven disciplined, dwelling in water with heads held downward.

Word by Word

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• सप्तजनाः: seven persons (Saptajanas)
• सप्तजनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त-जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास (numeral compound)

• नाम: by name/called
• नाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; 'called/by name')

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• संश्रितव्रताः: devoted to vows; observing austerities
• संश्रितव्रताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संश्रित-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √श्रि (धातु) with सम्- + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त used adjectivally

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; here used with emphasis before एव

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• आसन्: were
• आसन्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• अधःशीर्षाः: with heads downward
• अधःशीर्षाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधः-शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• नियतम्: strictly; with discipline
• नियतम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √यम् (धातु) + नि- + क्त)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण (adverbial usage: 'strictly/constantly')

• जलशायिनः: lying in water; water-dwellers
• जलशायिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जल-शायिन् (प्रातिपदिक; from √शी (धातु) with suffix -इन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

Characters & Entities

• muni (sages)
• jala (water)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as vrata-dharma—steadfast self-restraint and disciplined practice undertaken for spiritual attainment and the protection of sacred order.

What is the narrative situation?

The guide explains that this hermitage was inhabited by seven renowned ascetics whose austerities were extraordinary.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Niyama (discipline): unwavering adherence to vows and controlled living.