Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 20

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं

Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो महातेजा वसिष्ठो जपतां वर:।आजुहाव तत: प्रीत: कल्माषीं धूतकल्मष:।।।।

Transliteration

evam ukto mahātejā vasiṣṭho japatāṃ varaḥ |

ājuhāva tataḥ prītaḥ kalmāṣīṃ dhūtakalmaṣaḥ ||

Translation

Ainsi interpellé, Vasiṣṭha—rayonnant, le premier parmi ceux voués au japa, purifié de toute souillure—fut comblé de joie ; puis il appela la vache tachetée, Kalmāṣī (Śabalā).

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (thus)

• उक्तः: having been addressed
• उक्तः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) (कृदन्त: क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle): "having been addressed/told"

• महातेजाः: of great splendor
• महातेजाः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहिः: "महत्तेजः यस्य सः"

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• जपताम्: of those who perform japa
• जपताम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप् (धातु) (शतृ/शानच्-आधारित प्रातिपदिक) / जपत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive, 6th), बहुवचन (Plural); "of those who mutter prayers"

• वरः: the best
• वरः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); predicate/apposition: "best"

• आजुहाव: called / summoned
• आजुहाव: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ह्वा (धातु) + आ (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लिट् लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: क्रियाविशेषण (Temporal modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/अनन्तरवाचक अव्यय (thereafter)

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्री (धातु) (कृदन्त: क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); क्त-कृदन्त: "pleased"

• कल्माषीम्: Kalmāṣī (the speckled cow)
• कल्माषीम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्माषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• धूतकल्मषः: free from sin (with sins washed away)
• धूतकल्मषः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धूत + कल्मष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहिः: "धूतं कल्मषं यस्य सः"

Context

With the sagacious Viswamitra seated the great ascetic, duly offered him fruits and roots.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Śabalā (Kalmāṣī/Kāmadhenu)

FAQs

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

Hospitality supported by spiritual power: dharma is not only intention but also capability used rightly—Vasiṣṭha prepares to honor a guest fully.

What is the narrative situation?

After the exchange of courtesies, Vasiṣṭha decides to arrange a grand reception and summons the miraculous cow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s generosity and purity—his ascetic merit is employed to serve dharma (guest-honor).