Valmiki Ramayana 1.37.2 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 2

कुमारसम्भवः—गङ्गायां तेजोनिक्षेपः

The Birth of Kumāra/Skanda and the Deposition of Śiva’s Energy through Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

ततोऽब्रुवन् सुरास्सर्वे भगवन्तं पितामहम्।प्रणिपत्य सुरास्सर्वे सेन्द्रास्साग्निपुरोगमा:।।1.37.2।।

Transliteration

tato 'bruvan surāḥ sarve bhagavantaṃ pitāmaham | praṇipatya surāḥ sarve sendrāḥ sāgni-purogamāḥ || 1.37.2 ||

Translation

Dann verneigten sich alle Götter—Indra unter ihnen, mit Agni an der Spitze—vor dem ehrwürdigen Pitāmaha (Brahmā) und sprachen zu ihm.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; adverb (अनन्तरार्थ)

• abruvan: spoke
• abruvan: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (परस्मैपद), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; imperfect (they spoke)

• surāḥ: the gods
• surāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

• sarve: all
• sarve: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; adjective of surāḥ

• bhagavantam: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• pitāmaham: the Grandfather (Brahmā)
• pitāmaham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; apposition to bhagavantam

• praṇipatya: having bowed down
• praṇipatya: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√nam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); ‘having bowed’

• surāḥ: the gods
• surāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; repeated for emphasis

• sarve: all
• sarve: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

• sa-indrāḥ: together with Indra
• sa-indrāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/सहितार्थ) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सह-समास: इन्द्रेण सहिताः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; qualifier of surāḥ

• sa-agni-purogamāḥ: with Agni in the forefront
• sa-agni-purogamāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/सहितार्थ) + agni (प्रातिपदिक) + purogama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सह + बहुव्रीहिसदृशार्थ: ‘having Agni in front’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; qualifier of surāḥ

Context

Thereafter, all the gods said, 'This son shall become renowned in the three worlds as Karttikeya, (son of krittikas). There is no doubt '.

Characters & Entities

• Devatās
• Brahmā (Pitāmaha)
• Indra
• Agni

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through reverence and proper protocol: even powerful gods approach Brahmā with humility, affirming that authority is honored through respectful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

In the broader episode, the gods seek Brahmā’s guidance; they approach him formally, led by Agni and accompanied by Indra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility (vinaya) and disciplined consultation—seeking counsel rather than acting arrogantly, even when one is powerful.