Shloka 17

Saptajana-āśrama Darśana and the Approach to Kiṣkindhā

Hermitage of Seven Sages; March toward Vāli’s Capital

Devanagari script

एतद्राघव विस्तीर्णमाश्रमं श्रमनाशनम्।उद्यानवनसम्पन्नं स्वादुमूलफलोदकम्।।

Transliteration

etad rāghava vistīrṇam āśramaṃ śramanāśanam | udyānavana-sampannaṃ svādu-mūla-phalodakam ||

Translation

O Rāghava, dies ist ein weitläufiger Āśrama, der die Müdigkeit vertreibt, reich an Hainen und Gärten, versehen mit süßen Wurzeln, Früchten und Wasser.

Word by Word

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• राघव: O Raghava
• राघव: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राघव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विस्तीर्णम्: vast/extended
• विस्तीर्णम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्तीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √स्तॄ/√स्तृ (धातु) with वि- + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त used adjectivally

• आश्रमम्: hermitage
• आश्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• श्रमनाशनम्: removing fatigue
• श्रमनाशनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रम-नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• उद्यानवनसम्पन्नम्: endowed with gardens and groves
• उद्यानवनसम्पन्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्यान-वन-सम्पन्न (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √पद्/√पद्? here 'सम्पन्न' from √पद्/√पन्? standard: √पद् not; actually 'सम्पन्न' PPP from √पद्? accepted as adjective 'endowed')
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त used adjectivally

• स्वादुमूलफलोदकम्: having sweet roots, fruits, and water
• स्वादुमूलफलोदकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वादु-मूल-फल-उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective)

Context

'O Raghava! this is a hermitage, enchanting with vast gardens and trees bearing sweet fruits, full of tasty roots and water that relieves tiresomeness (of travellers).

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)
• āśrama (hermitage)
• udyāna (garden)
• vana (grove/forest)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as reverence for sacred places that sustain and restore travellers—spaces maintained by righteous living and ascetic discipline for the welfare of others.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma is being shown a hermitage in the forest region; its features are described as благотворные—refreshing, nourishing, and suited to spiritual life.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful discernment: recognizing the sanctity of an āśrama and approaching it with appropriate humility and care.