Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 29

पञ्चदशः सर्गः — देवकृत-प्रार्थना, रावणवधोपायः, विष्णोः मानुषावतारनियोजनम्

Sarga 15: The Devas’ Petition, the Means to Slay Ravana, and Vishnu’s Commission to Incarnate as Man

Devanagari script

एवं दत्वा वरं देवो देवानां विष्णुरात्मवान्।मानुषे चिन्तयामास जन्मभूमिमथात्मन:।।1.15.29।।

Transliteration

evaṁ datvā varaṁ devo devānāṁ viṣṇur ātmavān | mānuṣe cintayāmāsa janmabhūmim athātmanaḥ || 1.15.29 ||

Translation

So, nachdem der Gott Viṣṇu, der selbstbeherrschte Herr, den Göttern diese Gabe gewährt hatte, sann er in der Menschenwelt über den Ort nach, an dem er selbst geboren werden sollte.

Word by Word

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘then’)

• deva-ṛṣi-gandharvāḥ: gods, seers, and gandharvas
• deva-ṛṣi-gandharvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक) + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व समास (देव + ऋषि + गन्धर्व), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• sa-rudrāḥ: together with the Rudras
• sa-rudrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय) + rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष (सह-भाव: रुद्रैः सह), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• sa-apsaraḥ-gaṇāḥ: together with groups of apsarases
• sa-apsaraḥ-gaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय) + apsaras (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष (अप्सरोगणैः सह), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• stutibhiḥ: with hymns
• stutibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: stuti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• divya-rūpābhiḥ: of divine form (splendid)
• divya-rūpābhiḥ: Karaṇa-viśeṣaṇa (करणविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय समास (दिव्यानि रूपाणि यासाम्/दिव्यरूपाः), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; stutibhiḥ-विशेषण

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised
• tuṣṭuvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: stu (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• madhusūdanam: Madhusūdana (slayer of Madhu)
• madhusūdanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक) + sūdana (प्रातिपदिक; √sūd)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी: मधोः सूदनः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

To help Dasaratha beget sons, brilliant Rsyasringa commenced putriyeshti, a sacrifice for begetting children, by pouring oblations into sacrificial fire and chanting mantras in accordance with traditions.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Devas

FAQs

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

Dharma is purposeful descent for the world’s welfare: divine power is directed by a moral aim, not mere force.

What is the narrative situation?

After assuring the gods, Viṣṇu considers where to be born as a human to accomplish the mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Deliberate, responsible resolve—acting with clarity and intention for the common good.