Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.13: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 13

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore

Devanagari script

सर्वास्त्राणि भृशाश्वस्य पुत्रा: परमधार्मिका:।कौशिकाय पुरा दत्ता यदा राज्यं प्रशासति।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 1.21.13

Transliteration

sarvāstrāṇi bhṛśāśvasya putrāḥ parama-dhārmikāḥ | kauśikāya purā dattā yadā rājyaṃ praśāsati ||

Translation

Autrefois, lorsqu’il gouvernait le royaume, toutes ces armes furent accordées à Kauśika (Viśvāmitra) par les fils de Bhṛśāśva, d’une droiture suprême et voués au dharma.

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Word by Word

• सर्वास्त्राणि: all weapons
• सर्वास्त्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'all weapons'

• भृशाश्वस्य: of Bhṛśāśva
• भृशाश्वस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृशाश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• पुत्राः: sons
• पुत्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'sons' (apposition to weapons as personified)

• परमधार्मिकाः: supremely righteous
• परमधार्मिकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम-धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (supremely righteous)

• कौशिकाय: to Kauśika (Viśvāmitra)
• कौशिकाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• पुरा: formerly
• पुरा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (formerly)

• दत्ताः: were given
• दत्ताः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'given'

• यदा: when
• यदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक/यदा-तदा सम्बन्ध (when)

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• राज्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रशासति: rules/governs
• प्रशासति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+शास् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Context

All these weapons were given to Viswamitra by Bhrisasva's highly virtuous sons whilehe was ruling the kingdom.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (Kauśika)
• Bhṛśāśva
• Astra (weapons)

FAQs

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

Transmission of power must follow righteousness: weapons (force) are legitimately entrusted to one whose life is aligned with dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The text explains the provenance of Viśvāmitra’s arsenal—how he received all astras from a renowned righteous lineage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s worthiness and recognized integrity, proven by others entrusting him with great power.