Shloka 1.71.20

जनककुलवर्णनम् तथा सीतोर्मिलादानम् (Janaka’s Genealogy and the Bestowal of Sita and Urmila)

Devanagari script

कनीयानेष मे भ्राता अहं ज्येष्ठो महामुने।ददामि परमप्रीतो वध्वौ ते मुनिपुङ्गव।।।।सीतां रामाय भद्रं ते ऊर्मिला लक्ष्मणाय च।

Transliteration

kanīyān eṣa me bhrātā ahaṃ jyeṣṭho mahāmune |

dadāmi paramaprīto vadhvau te munipuṅgava ||

sītāṃ rāmāya bhadraṃ te ūrmilā lakṣmaṇāya ca |

Translation

O great sage, this is my younger brother, and I am the elder. O foremost of seers, with supreme joy I bestow these two brides: Sītā upon Rāma—may auspiciousness be yours—and Ūrmilā also upon Lakṣmaṇa.

Context

O Great ascetic (Vasishta), this one is my youger brother and I am the elder one. O pre-eminent among ascetics! with immense pleasure I am giving these maidens, Sita to Rama and Urmila to Lakshmana. Be blessed!

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Kuśadhvaja
• Vasiṣṭha
• Sītā
• Rāma
• Ūrmilā
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma as sanctified giving (kanyā-pradāna) with proper authority and joy: the marriage is framed as a righteous act performed openly, with blessings and adherence to social and ritual order.

What is the narrative situation?

After establishing lineage and circumstances, Janaka formally gives Sītā to Rāma and Ūrmilā to Lakṣmaṇa in the presence of Vasiṣṭha and the assembly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Generosity joined with propriety—Janaka’s glad, lawful fulfillment of paternal duty, honoring both families and the sages’ guidance.