Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 13

त्रिसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 73): Mithilā Vivāha

Kanyādāna and the Fourfold Marriage Rites

Devanagari script

इत्युक्त: परमोदारो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना।।।।प्रत्युवाच महातेजा वाक्यं परमधर्मवित्।

Transliteration

ity uktaḥ paramodāro vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā | pratyuvāca mahātejā vākyaṃ paramadharmavit ||

Translation

فلما خوطب بهذه الكلمات من فاسيشثا العظيم النفس، أجاب جانَكا—وهو بالغ السخاء، متلألئ الهيبة، عارفٌ بالدَّرما أتمَّ المعرفة—بكلامٍ لائق.

Word by Word

• kṛtakautukasarvasvāḥ: having completed all marriage rites
• kṛtakautukasarvasvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta + kautuka + sarvasva (कृत + कौतुक + सर्वस्व प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; Tatpuruṣa: ‘kṛta-kautukaṃ sarvasvaṃ yāsām’ = those whose all (rites) are completed; qualifies ‘kanyāḥ’ (daughters)

• vedimūlam: the foot of the altar
• vedimūlam: Karma (कर्म) (goal with ‘upāgatāḥ’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vedi + mūla (वेदी + मूल प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa: ‘vedyāḥ mūlam’ = base of the altar

• upāgatāḥ: have arrived
• upāgatāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√gam (उप + गम् धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Kta-participle (क्त), plural; Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘having come/arrived’

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana (genitive)

• kanyāḥ: daughters
• kanyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (कन्या प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• muniśreṣṭha: O best of sages
• muniśreṣṭha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni + śreṣṭha (मुनि + श्रेष्ठ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa: ‘munīnām śreṣṭhaḥ’

• dīptāḥ: shining
• dīptāḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (दीप्त प्रातिपदिक; √dīp क्त)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Kta-participle; Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; qualifies ‘kanyāḥ’

• vahneḥ: of fire
• vahneḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vahni (वह्नि प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; simile marker (उपमा)

• arciṣaḥ: flames
• arciṣaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arcis (अर्चिस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (often), Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘flames/rays’

Context

Thus addressed by the great self Vasishta, Janaka, the exceedingly generous, highly lustrous, eminent in ethics replied.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Janaka

FAQs

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

Dharma is embodied as disciplined, appropriate speech and conduct by a ruler: Janaka is described as a knower of dharma, implying that leadership is validated by moral discernment and measured response.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vasiṣṭha addresses Janaka regarding the impending marriage proceedings, the narration transitions to Janaka’s reply.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s generosity and dharma-knowledge (ethical clarity), along with a dignified radiance befitting a righteous king.