Valmiki Ramayana 2.69.4 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 69, Shloka 4

भरतस्य दुःस्वप्नदर्शनम्

Bharata’s Ominous Dream

Devanagari script

वादयन्ति तथा शान्तिं लास यन्त्यपि चापरे।नाटकान्यपरे प्राहुर्हास्यानि विविधानि च।।।।

Transliteration

vādayanti tathā śāntiṃ lāsayanty api cāpare |

nāṭakāny apare prāhur hāsyāni vividhāni ca ||

Translation

ولتهدئته كان بعضهم يعزف الآلات، وبعضهم يرقص؛ ومنهم من أقام تمثيلاً، ومنهم من روى ضروباً من النوادر المضحكة.

Word by Word

• vādayanti: played (instruments)
• vādayanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vad (धातु) [णिच् causative: वादयति]
• Form: लट्, परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Kriya-Visheshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: likewise)

• śāntim: peace/calm
• śāntim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śānti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• lāsayanti: made (others) dance / danced
• lāsayanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: las (धातु) [णिच् causative: लासयति]
• Form: लट्, परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (also)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (and)

• apare: others (some people)
• apare: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• nāṭakāni: dramatic performances
• nāṭakāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; कर्म

• apare: others
• apare: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• prāhuḥ: said/told
• prāhuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-āh (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• hāsyāni: jokes/comic tales
• hāsyāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hāsya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; कर्म

• vividhāni: various
• vividhāni: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (hāsyāni)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (and)

Context

Observing him grief-stricken his peers who always spoke pleasant words, engaged him in a variety of ways in the assembly in order to divert him.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as active care—using culturally appropriate means (music, art, humor) to restore another’s mental steadiness and reduce sorrow.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata’s companions attempt multiple forms of consolation—music, dance, drama, and humor—to bring him peace.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentive service (sevā-bhāva) and sensitivity: choosing gentle, uplifting actions for someone in grief.