Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 70, Shloka 7

वंशवर्णनम् तथा विवाहप्रार्थना

Genealogy of the Ikshvaku Line and the Proposal for Marriage

Devanagari script

साङ्काश्यां ते समागत्य ददृशुश्च कुशध्वजम्।न्यवेदयन्यथावृत्तं जनकस्य च चिन्तितम्।।1.70.7।।

Transliteration

sāṅkāśyāṃ te samāgatya dadṛśuś ca kuśadhvajam |

nyavedayan yathāvṛttaṃ janakasya ca cintitam || 1.70.7 ||

Translation

ولمّا بلغوا سَانْكَاشْيَا (Sāṅkāśyā) لقُوا كوشَدْهْفَجَا (Kuśadhvaja)، فأخبروه بما جرى على وجهه، وبما عزم عليه الملك جَنَكَة (Janaka).

Word by Word

• tat: that
• tat: Viśeṣaṇa of Karma (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma; Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; with vṛttam

• vṛttam: the event
• vṛttam: Karma (कर्म; object of śrutvā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛtta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; past participle from √vṛt (to happen) used as noun 'event'

• nṛpatiḥ: the king
• nṛpatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ-pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; समास: तत्पुरुष (nṛṇāṃ patiḥ)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (श्रु धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा) from √śru (to hear)

• dūtaśreṣṭhaiḥ: by the best messengers
• dūtaśreṣṭhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dūta-śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; 'by the best messengers'; समास: तत्पुरुष (dūtānāṃ śreṣṭhāḥ)

• mahābalaiḥ: very strong
• mahābalaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa of Karaṇa (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; agrees with dūtaśreṣṭhaiḥ; कर्मधारय (mahā balaṃ yeṣām)

• ajñāya: having understood
• ajñāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-ल्यप्) from √jñā (to know/understand) with a- augment in form; meaning 'having understood/learned'

• atha: then
• atha: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; sequential particle (then)

• narendrasya: of the king (Janaka)
• narendrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• ājñayā: by (his) order
• ājñayā: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण; 'by order')
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• ājagāma: came
• ājagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada; √gam with ā- (to come)

• kuśadhvajaḥ: Kuśadhvaja
• kuśadhvajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśadhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

Context

The messengers reached Sankasya, met Kusadhwaja and related to him what had happened. They informed him the intention of (king) Janaka.

Characters & Entities

• Sāṅkāśyā
• Kuśadhvaja
• Janaka

FAQs

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

Satya in service: messengers faithfully convey events and intentions without distortion, enabling righteous decision-making.

What is the narrative situation?

The envoys arrive at Sāṅkāśyā and formally brief Kuśadhvaja on Janaka’s plans.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful reporting and reliability in royal communication.