Shloka 61

शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma

Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare

Devanagari script

कच्चिद्गुरूंश्च वृद्धांश्च तापसान् देवतातिथीन्।चैत्यांश्च सर्वान्सिध्दार्थान्ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यसि।।।।

Transliteration

kaccid gurūṃś ca vṛddhāṃś ca tāpasān devatātithīn | caityāṃś ca sarvān siddhārthān brāhmaṇāṃś ca namasyasi ||

Translation

Erweist du Lehrern und Ältesten die gebührende Verehrung, den Asketen, den Göttern und Gästen, den heiligen Schreinen, den Vollendeten und den Brahmanen?

Word by Word

• kaccit: I hope; is it the case that...?
• kaccit: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kaccit (अव्यय)
• Form: Interrogative particle

• gurūn: teachers, elders
• gurūn: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• vṛddhān: the aged
• vṛddhān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• tāpasān: ascetics
• tāpasān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāpasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• devatā-atithīn: gods and guests
• devatā-atithīn: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devatā (प्रातिपदिक) + atithi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व) ‘devatāḥ ca atithayaḥ ca’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• caityān: shrines/sacred places
• caityān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• sarvān: all
• sarvān: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; viśeṣaṇa of following nouns (siddhārthān, brāhmaṇān etc.)

• siddhārthān: accomplished men
• siddhārthān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √sidh) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi ‘siddhaḥ arthaḥ yeṣām/ye’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• brāhmaṇān: brahmins
• brāhmaṇān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• namasyasi: you bow to, pay homage
• namasyasi: Kriyā (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nam (नम् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present), Madhyama puruṣa (2nd), Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

Context

I trust you pay homage to the preceptors, the aged ones, ascetics, gods and guests, to shrines and to accomplished brahmins.

Characters & Entities

• Gurus (preceptors)
• Elders
• Ascetics (tāpasas)
• Gods (devatā)
• Brāhmaṇas

FAQs

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

Dharma is sustained by reverence and hospitality: honoring teachers, elders, holy persons, guests, and sacred places preserves moral order and social harmony.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama continues his examination of Bharata’s conduct as a ruler, focusing on respectful relations with spiritual and social pillars of the kingdom.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and respect—recognizing authority, sanctity, and merit beyond royal power.