Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 51, Shloka 16
शतानन्दोपदेशः
Śatānanda’s Welcome to Rāma and the Prelude to Viśvāmitra’s History
श्रूयतां चाभिधास्यामि कौशिकस्य महात्मन:।यथा बलं यथा वृत्तं तन्मे निगदत: श्रुणु।।।।
śrūyatāṁ cābhidhāsyāmi kauśikasya mahātmanaḥ | yathā balaṁ yathā vṛttaṁ tan me nigadataḥ śṛṇu ||
«Écoute à présent : je vais te dire au sujet du grand fils de Kuśika, quelle est sa puissance et quel fut le cours de sa vie. Entends tandis que je le raconte.»
I shall tell you about the power and achievement of the magnanimous son of Kushika Viswamitra. Listen!
FAQs
Dharma is learned through itihāsa: hearing exemplary lives teaches how power should be disciplined and transformed into spiritual authority.
Śatānanda begins a formal narration to Rāma about Viśvāmitra’s background, setting up the forthcoming account of his rise from kingship to Brahmarṣihood.
Śatānanda’s pedagogical duty—transmitting history accurately so the listener gains right understanding (satya-informed instruction).