Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.19 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 19

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

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

Devanagari script

एवं वीर्यो महातेजा विश्वामित्रो महायशाः।न रामगमने राजन् संशयं कर्तुमर्हसि।।।।

Transliteration

evaṃ vīryo mahātejā viśvāmitro mahāyaśāḥ |

na rāma-gamane rājan saṃśayaṃ kartum arhasi ||

Translation

এইরূপ পরাক্রমশালী, মহাতেজস্বী ও সর্বত্র প্রসিদ্ধ যশস্বী বিশ্বামিত্র। অতএব, হে রাজন, রামের তাঁর সঙ্গে গমনে তুমি কোনো সংশয় করো না॥

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/in this way')

• vīryaḥ: of such prowess
• vīryaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम् to viśvāmitraḥ

• mahā-tejāḥ: greatly brilliant
• mahā-tejāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (descriptive: 'greatly radiant'); पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• viśvāmitraḥ: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• mahā-yaśāḥ: highly renowned
• mahā-yaśāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + yaśas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (descriptive: 'great-famed'); पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• rāma-gamane: in/with regard to Rāma's going
• rāma-gamane: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक) + gamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive: 'Rāma's going' / 'sending Rāma'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• saṃśayam: doubt
• saṃśayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• kartum: to do/to entertain (doubt)
• kartum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ, धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), क्रियार्थ (purpose/complement)

• arhasi: you ought (to)
• arhasi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arh (अर्ह्, धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

Context

O king, if this act of yours is appropriate to you, I will go back (to the places) where from I came. O scion of the race of kakutstha, you have proved false to your promise. Live happily with your relatives".

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha
• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Right action requires trust in the righteous and competent. Doubt that obstructs a pledged duty is treated as a deviation from dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha assures Daśaratha that Viśvāmitra is powerful and trustworthy, and that sending Rāma is appropriate.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom in leadership: accepting sound counsel and acting without paralyzing doubt when dharma is clear.