Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 16

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

वसिष्ठेनैवमुक्तस्तु विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीत्तत:।संरब्धतरमत्यर्थं वाक्यं वाक्यविशारद:।।1.53.16।।

Transliteration

vasiṣṭhenaivam uktas tu viśvāmitro ’bravīt tataḥ | saṃrabdhataraṃ atyarthaṃ vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ ||

Translation

Lorsque Vasiṣṭha eut parlé ainsi, Viśvāmitra, expert en la parole, répondit alors par des mots d’une colère extrême et plus ardente encore.

Word by Word

• vasiṣṭhena: by Vasiṣṭha
• vasiṣṭhena: Karaṇa (करण/instrument; agent in passive sense of uktaḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• evam: thus
• evam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• uktaḥ: having been spoken to
• uktaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (वच् धातु)
• Form: Kta (क्त) past passive participle, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tu: then/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta

• viśvāmitraḥ: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Ablative adverb (thereupon/then)

• saṃrabdhataram: more agitated
• saṃrabdhataram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃrabdha-tara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; comparative (-tara) qualifying vākyaṃ

• atyartham: exceedingly
• atyartham: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atyartham (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (excessively/very much)

• vākyam: speech/words
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• vākyaviśāradaḥ: skilled in speech
• vākyaviśāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject; epithet of Viśvāmitra)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'vākye viśāradaḥ' (skilled in speech)

Context

To there words of Vasishta, Viswamitra who is skilful in conversation reacted with extreme excitement:

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra
• Śabalā

FAQs

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

A warning about krodha: even eloquence becomes ethically harmful when driven by anger; dharma requires restraint, especially in conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

Following Vasiṣṭha’s firm refusal, Viśvāmitra reacts angrily, signaling the impending confrontation over Śabalā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, restraint is highlighted: the verse foregrounds Viśvāmitra’s agitation, implying the dharmic value of self-control.