Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 15

कुशनाभकन्याशतविवाहः — The Marriage of Kuśanābha’s Hundred Daughters

and the Birth of Brahmadatta

Devanagari script

परितुष्टं मुनिं ज्ञात्वा गन्धर्वी मधुरस्वरा।उवाच परमप्रीता वाक्यज्ञा वाक्यकोविदम्।।1.33.15।।

Transliteration

parituṣṭaṃ muniṃ jñātvā gandharvī madhurasvarā | uvāca paramaprītā vākyajñā vākyakovidam ||

Translation

فلما علمتْ أنَّ المُنيَّ قد رضي، تكلّمتْ الغندرفيّةُ عذبةُ الصوت، غامرةُ الفرح، بكلامٍ بليغٍ إلى ذلك الماهر في القول وسيّد البيان.

Word by Word

• परितुष्टम्: pleased
• परितुष्टम्: Visheshana (विशेषण of ‘मुनिम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि-तुष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘pleased’ (qualifying मुनिम्)

• मुनिम्: the sage
• मुनिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of ‘ज्ञात्वा’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ज्ञात्वा: having known
• ज्ञात्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive)

• गन्धर्वी: the gandharvī (celestial maiden)
• गन्धर्वी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मधुर-स्वरा: sweet-voiced
• मधुर-स्वरा: Visheshana (विशेषण of ‘गन्धर्वी’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (मधुरः स्वरः यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• परम-प्रीता: exceedingly delighted
• परम-प्रीता: Visheshana (विशेषण of ‘गन्धर्वी’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रीत (प्रातिपदिक/क्त)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वाक्य-ज्ञा: skilled in speech
• वाक्य-ज्ञा: Visheshana (विशेषण of ‘गन्धर्वी’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वाक्येषु ज्ञा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वाक्य-कोविदम्: to the expert in speech
• वाक्य-कोविदम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of ‘उवाच’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक) + कोविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वाक्ये कोविदः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; संबोधनार्थं/कर्मरूपेण ‘to the speech-expert’

Context

Having perceived that the sage was satisfied, the gandharva who was skilled in speech said exceedingly delighted to the sage in a sweet voice.

Characters & Entities

• Somadā (Gandharvī)
• Cūlī (muni)

FAQs

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

Dharma in communication: speaking with propriety, restraint, and clarity—especially before a guru—reflects inner discipline and respect.

What is the narrative situation?

Somadā prepares to state her request after recognizing that Cūlī is ready to grant a boon.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vāk-saṃskāra (refined speech) grounded in humility and joy rather than entitlement.