Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 70, Shloka 21

भरतस्य दूतसमागमः तथा केकयराजनः अनुज्ञा

Bharata Meets the Messengers; Kekaya King Grants Leave

Devanagari script

तथाऽमात्यानभिप्रेतान्विश्वास्यांश्च गुणान्वितान्।ददावश्वपतिः क्षिप्रं भरतायानुयायिनः।।2.70.21।।

Transliteration

tathā'mātyān abhipretān viśvāsyāṃś ca guṇānvitān | dadau aśvapatiḥ kṣipraṃ bharatāya anuyāyinaḥ ||2.70.21||

Translation

Asimismo, Aśvapati entregó sin demora a Bharata consejeros para acompañar su marcha: hombres gratos, dignos de confianza y adornados de buenas cualidades.

Word by Word

• तथा: in the same way
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• अमात्यान्: ministers/counsellors
• अमात्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amātya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• अभिप्रेतान्: approved/acceptable
• अभिप्रेतान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhipreta (कृदन्त; √prī प्रीञ् + अभि, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (past passive participle)

• विश्वास्यान्: trustworthy
• विश्वास्यान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśvāsya (कृदन्त; √viśvas विश्वास् + यत्/ण्यत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; योग्य-विशेषण (fit to be trusted)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• गुणान्वितान्: endowed with virtues
• गुणान्वितान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guṇa-anvita (प्रातिपदिक; गुण + अन्वित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (गुणैः अन्विताः = endowed with virtues)

• ददाव: gave
• ददाव: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धाातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अश्वपतिः: Ashvapati (lord of horses; king)
• अश्वपतिः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśvapati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (अश्वानां पतिः)

• क्षिप्रम्: quickly
• क्षिप्रम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kṣipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावेन प्रयुक्तं अव्यय (adverbial accusative)

• भरताय: to Bharata
• भरताय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• अनुयायिनः: followers/companions
• अनुयायिनः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anuyāyin (कृदन्त; √yā या + अनु, णिनि/इन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्तरि-प्रत्ययान्त (followers/attendants)

Context

Similarly his maternal uncle Ashwapati quickly presented him amenable, trustworthy and virtuous counsellors as companions on his return journey.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Aśvapati (maternal uncle)

FAQs

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

Dharma of governance and companionship: righteous aims are supported by trustworthy advisors; moral action is strengthened by good counsel and reliable associates.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata is being equipped for his return; Aśvapati assigns capable ministers to accompany and assist him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence—selecting virtuous, trustworthy companions reflects a commitment to dharmic decision-making.