Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 5

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

सर्वमासीत्सुसन्तुष्ठं हृष्टपुष्टजनायुतम्।विश्वामित्रबलं राम वसिष्ठेनाभितर्पितम्।।1.53.5।।

Transliteration

sarvam āsīt susantuṣṭaṃ hṛṣṭapuṣṭajanāyutam |

viśvāmitrabalaṃ rāma vasiṣṭhenābhitarpitam || 1.53.5 ||

Translation

Ô Rāma, toute la troupe de Viśvāmitra, rassasiée par Vasiṣṭha, fut comblée de contentement, pleine d’hommes repus et joyeux.

Word by Word

• viśvāmitraḥ: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• api: also
• api: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि (also/even)

• rāja-ṛṣiḥ: royal sage
• rāja-ṛṣiḥ: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• hṛṣṭaḥ: delighted
• hṛṣṭaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣṭa (√hṛṣ, हृष्; क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (of viśvāmitraḥ)

• puṣṭaḥ: well-fed/satisfied
• puṣṭaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṣṭa (√puṣ, पुष्; क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम्

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (time adverb)

• abhavat: became/was
• abhavat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• sa-antaḥpura-varaḥ: with excellent inner-apartments/retinue
• sa-antaḥpura-varaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह/स- उपसर्गार्थ) + antaḥpura (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (सह-सम्बन्ध/उपपद); प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (of rājā)

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• sa-brāhmaṇa-purohitaḥ: with brahmins and priests
• sa-brāhmaṇa-purohitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह) + brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + purohita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (सह-सम्बन्ध); प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (of rājā)

Context

"O Rama, Vasistha entertained everybody in Viswamitra's army to their full satisfaction. They were all well-fed and happy.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as duty fulfilled: a host’s righteous care results in collective well-being and peace.

What is the narrative situation?

After being hosted at Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage, Viśvāmitra’s followers are described as fully satisfied.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s competence in dharmic stewardship—nourishing and protecting guests through rightful means.