Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 3

कामाश्रम

प्रवेशः / Entry into Kāma’s Hermitage at the Sarayū–Gaṅgā Confluence

Devanagari script

तस्यर्षे: परमोदारं वचश्श्रुत्वा नृपात्मजौ ।स्नात्वा कृतोदकौ वीरौ जेपतु: परमं जपम्।।।।

Transliteration

tasyarṣeḥ paramodāraṃ vacaḥ śrutvā nṛpātmajau |

snātvā kṛtodakau vīrau jepatuḥ paramaṃ japam ||

Translation

Hearing the most gracious words of that sage, the two princes bathed, offered the water-oblation, and then recited the highest japa, the supreme mantra-prayer.

Word by Word

• kṛta-āhnikau: having completed the daily rites
• kṛta-āhnikau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) → kṛta (कृदन्त, क्त) + āhnika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'kṛtam āhnikam yābhyām' = having performed daily rites

• mahā-vīryau: of great prowess
• mahā-vīryau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; कर्मधारयः (mahad vīryam yayor) used adjectivally

• viśvāmitram: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitram: Karma (कर्म / Object of salutation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Dvitīyā-vibhakti (Accusative), Ekavacana

• tapo-dhanam: the one whose wealth is austerity
• tapo-dhanam: Karma (कर्म / Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Dvitīyā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहिः: 'tapo dhanaṃ yasya saḥ' = one whose wealth is austerity; apposition to viśvāmitram

• abhivādya: having saluted
• abhivādya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√vad (धातु) → abhivādya (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष)
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund/ल्यप्); 'having saluted'

• abhisaṃhṛṣṭau: highly delighted
• abhisaṃhṛṣṭau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-saṃ-√hṛṣ (धातु) → abhisaṃhṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; 'highly delighted/energized'

• gamanāya: for going / for the journey
• gamanāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदानम् / Purpose-dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsaka; Caturthī-vibhakti (Dative/सम्प्रदान), Ekavacana; प्रयोजन-द्योतक (purpose)

• abhitasthatuḥ: stood ready (before him)
• abhitasthatuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect); Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Dvivacana; Parasmaipada; 'stood near/stood ready'

Context

The ascetics who resided there, faithful to their vows, took them in. There they staed happily in Kama's hermitage.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (implied: 'that sage')
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined conduct: honoring a teacher’s guidance and performing daily purificatory duties (bath, water-offering, japa) with sincerity.

What is the narrative situation?

After receiving Viśvāmitra’s gracious instruction, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa complete their morning religious observances before proceeding.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent self-discipline—prompt obedience, purity of conduct, and steadiness in sacred practice.