Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 70, Shloka 11

वंशवर्णनम् तथा विवाहप्रार्थना

Genealogy of the Ikshvaku Line and the Proposal for Marriage

Devanagari script

गच्छ मन्त्रिपते शीघ्रमैक्ष्वाकुममितप्रभम्।।1.70.11।।आत्मजैस्सह दुर्धर्षमानयस्व समन्त्रिणम्।

Transliteration

gaccha mantri-pate śīghram aikṣvākum amita-prabham || 1.70.11 || ātmajaiḥ saha durdharṣam ānayasva sa-mantriṇam |

Translation

«Ô chef des ministres, va sans tarder et amène le roi des Ikṣvāku, l’invincible Daśaratha, à l’éclat sans mesure, avec ses fils et ses ministres.»

Word by Word

• gaccha: go
• gaccha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

• mantripate: O lord of ministers
• mantripate: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantripati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: mantriṇām patiḥ), Masculine, Vocative (संबोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन)

• śīghram: quickly
• śīghram: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative used as avyaya (क्रियाविशेषण)

• aikṣvākum: the Ikṣvāku (king Daśaratha)
• aikṣvākum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aikṣvāku (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• amitaprabham: of immeasurable splendour
• amitaprabham: Viśeṣaṇa of karma (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amita + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (amitaḥ prabhaḥ yasya), Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying aikṣvākum

• ātmajaiḥ: with (his) sons
• ātmajaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (ātman + ja), Masculine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Preposition/particle meaning 'with' (सह-प्रयोग) governing instrumental

• durdharṣam: invincible
• durdharṣam: Viśeṣaṇa of karma (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur + dharṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (dur- as upasarga-like prefix), Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying aikṣvākum

• ānayasva: bring
• ānayasva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√nī (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada

• samantriṇam: together with ministers
• samantriṇam: Viśeṣaṇa of karma (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + mantrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (सह-समास: sa-mantrin = 'with ministers'), Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying aikṣvākum

Context

"O Foremost among counsellors, go speedily and bring along with his ministers and sons the invincible Dasaratha of the Ikshvakus dynasty whose splendour is immeasurable".

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Sudāmāna
• Daśaratha
• Ikṣvāku dynasty

FAQs

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

Respectful, proper invitation and protocol between kings is part of rajadharma—communication is formal, timely, and inclusive of elders and ministers.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka orders his envoy to bring Daśaratha (with sons and ministers) to Mithilā for the impending royal proceedings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s adherence to royal decorum and thoroughness in arranging a dharmic assembly.