Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 24

गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः

The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest

Devanagari script

एतौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ दीर्घकालमरिन्दम।मलदाश्च करूशाश्च मुदितौ धनधान्यत:।।1.24.24।।

Transliteration

etau janapadau sphītau dīrghakālam arindama |

maladāś ca karūśāś ca muditau dhanadhānyataḥ || 1.24.24 ||

Translation

O subduer of enemies, these two flourishing provinces—Maladā and Karūṣa—remained for a long time joyful, rich in wealth and grain.

Word by Word

• एतौ: these two
• एतौ: कर्तृ/विशेषणम् (qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम् (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); सर्वनाम-रूपम् (pronominal form)

• जनपदौ: the two districts/regions
• जनपदौ: कर्ता (subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम् (Masculine, Nominative, Dual)

• स्फीतौ: prosperous, flourishing
• स्फीतौ: कर्तृ/विशेषणम् (predicate/qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम् (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); विशेषणम् (adjective) जनपदौ इति

• दीर्घकालम्: for a long time
• दीर्घकालम्: अधिकरणम् (कालाधिकरणम्; temporal adjunct)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीर्घकाल (प्रातिपदिक; दीर्घ + काल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (Neuter, Accusative, Singular); काल-परिमाणे द्वितीया (accusative of duration)

• अरिन्दम: O destroyer of enemies
• अरिन्दम: सम्बोधनम् (vocative address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरिन्दम (प्रातिपदिक; अरि + दम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (Masculine, Vocative, Singular); संबोधनम् (address)

• मलदाः: the Maladas (people/region of Malada)
• मलदाः: कर्ता (co-subject with करूशाः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मलद (प्रातिपदिक; देश/जनपद-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Nominative, Plural); जनपद-निवासिनः/जनाः (people of Malada) वा जनपदाः इति

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः (conjunctive particle)

• करूशाः: the Karūśas (people/region of Karūśa)
• करूशाः: कर्ता (co-subject with मलदाः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करूश (प्रातिपदिक; देश/जनपद-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Nominative, Plural); जनपद-निवासिनः/जनाः (people of Karūśa) वा जनपदाः इति

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः (conjunctive particle)

• मुदितौ: rejoiced, delighted
• मुदितौ: कर्तृ/विशेषणम् (predicate/qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुदित (प्रातिपदिक; √मुद् (धातु) + क्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम् (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त-विशेषणम् (past participial adjective) जनपदौ इति

• धनधान्यत: because of wealth and grain; due to prosperity of crops and riches
• धनधान्यत: हेतु (cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धनधान्य (प्रातिपदिक; धन + धान्य) + तस् (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त-अव्ययम् (indeclinable in -tas); हेतौ/निमित्ते (cause/ground): 'धन-धान्य-निमित्तम्/धनधान्यतः' (because of wealth and grain)

Context

O Destroyers of enemies! these prosperous townships, Malada and Karusha looked cheerful with (bumper) crops and wealth for a long time.

Characters & Entities

• Maladā
• Karūṣa
• Janapada (provinces)

FAQs

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

Dharma yields stability and prosperity: when rightful order is restored and blessings are rightly given, communities flourish materially (grain, wealth) and emotionally (contentment).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration summarizes the long-term effect of Indra’s boon: Maladā and Karūṣa thrive for a long period.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ideal of protective strength (‘subduer of enemies’) paired with welfare—true heroism supports lasting prosperity.