Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 9

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं

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

Devanagari script

कच्चिद्बलेषु कोशेषु मित्रेषु च परन्तप।कुशलं ते नरव्याघ्र पुत्रपौत्रे तवानघ ।।।।

Transliteration

kaccid baleṣu kośeṣu mitreṣu ca parantapa | kuśalaṃ te naravyāghra putrapautre tavānagha ||

Translation

Ô fléau des ennemis, ô le meilleur des hommes, ô irréprochable : tes troupes, ton trésor, tes alliés, ainsi que tes fils et tes petits-fils, sont-ils dans la prospérité et le bien-être ?

Word by Word

• सर्वत्र: everywhere / in all matters
• सर्वत्र: Deśa/Vişaya-adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/विषयवाचक-अव्यय (in all respects)

• कुशलम्: welfare
• कुशलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; उदाहरत् इत्यस्य कर्म

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• वसिष्ठम्: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म) / Prati (प्रति) target
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• प्रत्युदाहरत्: replied / addressed
• प्रत्युदाहरत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + उद् + आ + हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘replied/addressed’

• विश्वामित्रः: Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; रājā इत्यस्य विशेष्य-सम्बन्धः (apposition)

• महातेजाः: great-splendored
• महातेजाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम् विश्वामित्रः

• वसिष्ठम्: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म) / addressed person
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• विनयान्वितः: endowed with humility
• विनयान्वितः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनय (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम् विश्वामित्रः; तत्पुरुष: विनयेन अन्वितः

Context

O Tormentor of enemies! O Sinless one! O Tiger among men! is it all well with your army, treasury, friends, sons and grandsons?

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Holistic rajadharma: the king’s duty includes safeguarding military readiness, economic stability, trustworthy alliances, and the flourishing of the royal family line.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha continues his formal inquiry into the kingdom’s health—institutions (army, treasury), relationships (allies), and succession (sons, grandsons).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and stewardship: a ruler must maintain strength, resources, and loyal relationships without neglecting family responsibilities.