Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 21

गङ्गावतरण-प्रार्थना

Bhagīratha’s Petition for the Descent of Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

उक्तवाक्यं तु राजानं सर्वलोकपितामह:।प्रत्युवाच शुभां वाणीं मधुरां मधुराक्षराम्।।1.42.21।।

Transliteration

uktavākyaṁ tu rājānaṁ sarvalokapitāmahaḥ | pratyuvāca śubhāṁ vāṇīṁ madhurāṁ madhurākṣarām ||1.42.21||

Translation

Alors le Grand-Père de tous les mondes, s’adressant au roi qui avait ainsi parlé, répondit par des paroles de bon augure, douces de ton et tendres en leurs syllabes.

Word by Word

• उक्तवाक्यम्: him who had spoken (those words)
• उक्तवाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ukta-vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (उक्तं वाक्यं येन)

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक-अव्यय (particle: 'but/indeed')

• राजानम्: the king
• राजानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• सर्वलोकपितामहः: the grandsire of all worlds
• सर्वलोकपितामहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva-loka-pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु) उपसर्गः प्रति-
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शुभाम्: auspicious
• शुभाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• वाणीम्: speech/words
• वाणीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• मधुराम्: sweet
• मधुराम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• मधुराक्षराम्: with sweet syllables
• मधुराक्षराम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura-akṣara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (मधुराणि अक्षराणि यस्याम्)

Context

'O Great charioteer! Bhagiratha, your desire is great. O Perpetuator of dynasty of theIkshvakus, let your wish be fulfilled. Prosperity to you'.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Sarvalokapitāmaha)
• Bhagīratha (king)

FAQs

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

Dharma in speech: authority should respond with auspicious, measured, and non-harsh words—power guided by benevolence.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration transitions from Bhagīratha’s requests to Brahmā’s formal, gracious reply.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate communication—divine authority is portrayed as gentle, encouraging, and orderly.