Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 69, Shloka 7

एकोनसप्ततितमः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Departure to Videha and Marriage Arrangements

Devanagari script

गत्वा चतुरहं मार्गं विदेहानभ्युपेयिवान्।राजा तु जनक श्श्रीमान् श्श्रुत्वा पूजामकल्पयत्।।।।

Transliteration

gatvā caturahaṃ mārgaṃ videhān abhyupēyivān |

rājā tu janakaḥ śrīmān śrutvā pūjām akalpayat ||

Translation

Après avoir parcouru la route durant quatre jours, ils atteignirent le pays des Vidêha. Informé de leur arrivée, l’illustre roi Janaka fit préparer pour eux les honneurs et l’hospitalité qui convenaient.

Word by Word

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √gam (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• caturaham: in four days (distance)
• caturaham: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: catur + aha (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (चतुरहं = ‘for four days’), अव्यय (time-measure adverbial)

• mārgam: the route
• mārgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• videhān: Videha (country)
• videhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: videha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; country/people of Videha

• abhyupēyivān: having arrived
• abhyupēyivān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhi-upa-√i (धातु) + kvasu/vasu (क्वसु/वसु)
• Form: कृतान्त (परिपूर्ण-भूतार्थक ‘उपेयिवान्’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; perfective past participial ‘having arrived’

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• tu: then/indeed
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• janakaḥ: Janaka
• janakaḥ: Apposition to Karta (कर्ता-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• śrīmān: prosperous, illustrious
• śrīmān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; qualifying rājā/janakaḥ

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śru (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive)

• pūjām: hospitality/honour
• pūjām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• akalpayat: arranged, provided
• akalpayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kḷp (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Context

Let brahmins like Vasishta, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kasyapa, Markandeya endowed with long life, and rishi Katyayana depart in advance. My chariot be yoked and kept ready. Let there be no delay. The messengers (from Janaka) are hastening me up".

Characters & Entities

• Videha
• Mithilā (implied by Videha/Janaka)
• Janaka
• Daśaratha (implied as the arriving king)

FAQs

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

Atithi-dharma (righteous hospitality): a noble ruler honors guests properly, especially when relations and sacred rites are involved.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha’s party reaches Videha; Janaka, informed of the arrival, prepares ceremonial reception.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s courtesy and dharmic kingship—honoring others with fitting respect.