Valmiki Ramayana 2.91.57: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 57

भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage

Devanagari script

इक्षूंश्च मधुलाजांश्च भोजयन्ति स्म वाहनान्।इक्ष्वाकुवरयोधानां चोदयन्तो महाबला:।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.91.57

Transliteration

ikṣūṃś ca madhulājāṃś ca bhojayanti sma vāhanān |

ikṣvākuvarayodhānāṃ codayanto mahābalāḥ ||

Translation

Mächtige Diener drängten die Lasttiere der Krieger der Ikṣvāku-Prinzen zum Fressen und gaben ihnen Zuckerrohr und süßes, mit Honig vermischtes Röstgetreide.

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Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• aśvabandhaḥ: the horseman
• aśvabandhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśvabandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; "horse-handler/horseman"

• aśvam: the horse
• aśvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• ajānāt: recognized/knew
• ajānāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्, imperfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• gajam: the elephant
• gajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• kuñjaragrahaḥ: the mahout
• kuñjaragrahaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuñjara + graha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; "elephant-seizer" = mahout

• matta-pramatta-muditā: drunk, reckless, and delighted
• matta-pramatta-muditā: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matta + pramatta + mudita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with camūḥ; coordinative of states = drunk, heedless, joyful

• camūḥ: the army
• camūḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: camū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• sā: that (army)
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; pronoun referring to camūḥ

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक)

• saṃbabhau: shone/appeared
• saṃbabhau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√bhā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

Context

The draughtaimals of the illustrious warriors of Ikshvaku kings were urged by the highly energetic attendants to eat more and more of parched grain mixed with sugarcane and honey.

Characters & Entities

• Ikṣvāku (dynasty)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as conscientious duty: sustaining strength—of people and animals—through proper nourishment and attentive service.

What is the narrative situation?

The hospitality extends to feeding the animals richly and encouraging them to eat well, supporting the army’s functioning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Diligence and competence in service roles—small duties performed well uphold the larger moral order.