Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 54, Shloka 12

Devanagari script

एवमुक्ता वसिष्ठेन प्रत्युवाच विनीतवत्।वचनं वचनज्ञा सा ब्रह्मर्षिममितप्रभम्।।।।

Transliteration

evam uktā vasiṣṭhena pratyuvāca vinītavat | vacanaṃ vacanajñā sā brahmarṣim amitaprabham ||

Translation

So von Vasiṣṭha angesprochen, erwiderte jene beredte Kuh demütig dem Brahmarṣi von unermesslichem Glanz.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• उक्ता: having been spoken to
• उक्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘सा’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• वसिष्ठेन: by Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• विनीतवत्: humbly
• विनीतवत्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vinīta-vat (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: वत्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverb): ‘in a humble manner’

• वचनम्: words
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वचनज्ञा: skilled in speech
• वचनज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vacana-jñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: वचनं जानाति; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘सा’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मर्षिम्: the brahmarṣi
• ब्रह्मर्षिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmarṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: ब्रह्मणः ऋषिः; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अमितप्रभम्: of immeasurable splendor
• अमितप्रभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amita-prabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास: अमिता प्रभा यस्य; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मर्षिम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

Context

To these words of brahmarshi Vasishta armed with immeasurable power, Sabala, who knew the use of words, replied with humility:

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Śabalā (Kāmadhenu)
• Brahmarṣi

FAQs

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

Vinaya (humility) toward righteous authority: even with great power, Śabalā responds respectfully to Vasiṣṭha, upholding dharmic restraint and proper conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vasiṣṭha speaks, Śabalā—renowned for wise speech—begins her reply, setting up the assertion of brahminical spiritual power over royal force.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and disciplined speech (vinaya and vacana-jñāna), showing power guided by dharma rather than ego.