Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 50, Shloka 17
यज्ञवाटप्रवेशः जनक-विश्वामित्रसंवादश्च
Arrival at the Sacrificial Ground and Janaka’s Reception
इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ।।1.50.17।।गजसिंहगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ।पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणीधनुर्धरौ।।1.50.18।।अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ।यदृच्छयैव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ।।1.50.19।।कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।
imau kumārau bhadraṃ te devatulyaparākramau |
gajasiṃhagatī vīrau śārdūlavṛṣabhopamau |
padmapatraviśālākṣau khaḍgatūṇīdhanurdharau |
aśvināv iva rūpeṇa samupasthitayauvanau |
yadṛcchayaiva gāṃ prāptau devalokād ivāmarau |
kathaṃ padbhyām iha prāptau kimarthaṃ kasya vā mune ||
Prospérité à toi, ô muni. Qui sont ces deux jeunes gens, égaux aux dieux par la vaillance—héros à la démarche d’éléphant et de lion, pareils au tigre et au taureau par la force—aux yeux vastes comme des pétales de lotus, portant épée, carquois et arc ? Par leur beauté ils ressemblent aux Aśvins, au seuil de la jeunesse, tels des immortels descendus d’eux-mêmes sur la terre depuis le séjour céleste. Comment sont-ils venus ici à pied, dans quel dessein, et de qui sont-ils les fils, ô sage ?
"O Sage (Viswamitra), be blessed. Who are these two young men with the prowess of the celestials the gait of an elephant or a lion? They resemble a tiger or a bull in courage. They have large eyes like lotus-petals. They are armed with scimitars bows and quivers. With their approaching youth, they resemble the Aswinikumaras in beauty. They look like gods who have descended on earth from heaven out of their free will. Whose sons are they? How did they come here on foot? And for what purpose?
FAQs
Dharma is shown in truthful, respectful inquiry and in recognizing virtue: Janaka’s words honor excellence while seeking facts (satya) about identity and purpose.
Janaka notices the extraordinary two princes accompanying Viśvāmitra and asks the sage who they are, why they have come, and how they arrived.
Discernment joined with reverence—Janaka observes carefully, praises appropriately, and asks questions with humility rather than presumption.