Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.10: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 10

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore

Devanagari script

एष विग्रहवान् धर्म एष वीर्यवतां वर:।एष बुध्याऽधिको लोके तपसश्च परायणम्।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 1.21.10

Transliteration

eṣa vigrahavān dharma eṣa vīryavatāṃ varaḥ | eṣa buddhyā ’dhiko loke tapasaś ca parāyaṇam ||

Translation

ইনি ধর্মের মূর্ত স্বরূপ; ইনি বীর্যবানদের মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠ। এই লোকেতে বুদ্ধিতে সকলকে অতিক্রম করেন, আর তপস্যাশক্তিতে পরম আশ্রয়স্বরূপ।

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Word by Word

• एषः: this one (he)
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विग्रहवान्: embodied
• विग्रहवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विग्रह-वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (embodied)

• धर्मः: Dharma/righteousness
• धर्मः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate)

• एषः: this one
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वीर्यवताम्: of the valiant
• वीर्यवताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्य-वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; 'of the powerful'

• वरः: the best
• वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

• एषः: this one
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बुध्या: by intellect
• बुध्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण/हेतुवाचक (in/with intellect)

• अधिकः: superior
• अधिकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (superior)

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• तपसः: of austerity
• तपसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; 'of austerity'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• परायणम्: supreme refuge
• परायणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (supreme resort)

Context

This (Viswamitra) is an embodiment of righteousness and unsurpassed among the powerful. None can excel him in intellect in this world. He is the supreme refuge inausterity.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Daśaratha
• Dharma
• Tapas

FAQs

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

True authority is grounded in dharma and tapas: spiritual integrity and disciplined austerity create moral power that even kings should respect.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha is being reminded of Viśvāmitra’s extraordinary stature so that the king will not resist the sage’s request regarding Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s righteous strength—wisdom, self-control, and ascetic accomplishment as the basis of leadership.