Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 22

पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival

Bālakāṇḍa 18

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयामास पौराञ्जानपदानपि।अददाद्ब्रह्मणानां च रत्नौघममितं बहु।।।।तेषां जन्मक्रियादीनि सर्वकर्माण्यकारयत्।

Transliteration

brāhmaṇān bhojayāmāsa paurāñ jānapadān api |

adadād brāhmaṇānāṁ ca ratnaugham amitaṁ bahu ||

teṣāṁ janmakriyādīni sarvakarmāṇy akārayat ||

Translation

Il fit servir des festins aux brāhmanes, ainsi qu’aux citadins et aux gens des campagnes. Aux brāhmanes il donna en aumône d’abondants monceaux de joyaux, innombrables et sans mesure, et fit accomplir tous les rites de naissance et les autres cérémonies prescrites pour les nouveau-nés.

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: among/of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• केतुः: banner/standard
• केतुः: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (उपमा-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय (comparative particle)

• ज्येष्ठः: eldest
• ज्येष्ठः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; रामः इति विशेषणम्

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रतिकरः: giver of delight
• रतिकरः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रति (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'ratiṃ karoti' / 'rati-karaḥ' = pleasure-causing); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; रामः इति विशेषणम्

• पितुः: of (his) father
• पितुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• बभूव: became
• बभूव: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• भूयः: exceedingly
• भूयः: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भूयस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (degree adverb: 'more/exceedingly')

• भूतानाम्: of living beings
• भूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (कृदन्त; √भू)
• Form: भूत = क्त (PPP) used as noun 'beings'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• स्वयम्भूः: Svayambhū (Brahmā)
• स्वयम्भूः: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय) + भू (धातु/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'svayam bhavati' = self-born, Brahmā); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (उपमा-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय

• सम्मतः: highly esteemed
• सम्मतः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + मन् (धातु) → सम्मत (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त (PPP) 'approved/esteemed'; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; रामः इति विशेषणम्

Context

Brahmins as well as inhabitants of the city and rural areas were feasted. (Dasaratha) bestowed on brahmins unlimited and abundant jewels in charity. The rites at the time of birth and all other rites (associated with the new-born) were duly performed.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• brāhmaṇas
• jānapadas (people of the countryside)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma expressed through dāna (generosity) and proper saṁskāras: a righteous ruler supports the learned and cares for society broadly, while ensuring life-cycle rites are performed according to dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

After the princes’ birth, Daśaratha celebrates publicly, gives charity, hosts feasts for various social groups, and completes the prescribed birth ceremonies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s generosity, social responsibility, and adherence to prescribed religious duties.