Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 2

जनककुलवर्णनम् तथा सीतोर्मिलादानम्

Janaka’s Genealogy and the Bestowal of Sita and Urmila

Devanagari script

प्रदाने हि मुनिश्रेष्ठ कुलं निरवशेषत:।वक्तव्यं कुलजातेन तन्निबोध महामुने।।।।

Transliteration

pradāne hi muniśreṣṭha kulaṃ niravaśeṣataḥ |

vaktavyaṃ kulajātena tan nibodha mahāmune ||

Translation

Ô meilleur des sages, lorsqu’on donne une fille en mariage, celui qui est né dans une noble lignée doit en exposer l’ascendance tout entière ; écoute-la, ô grand muni.

Word by Word

• राजा: king
• राजा: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• अभूत्: was/became
• अभूत्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• त्रिषु: in three
• त्रिषु: Adhikaraṇa-viśeṣaṇa (अधिकरणविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• लोकेषु: worlds
• लोकेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• विश्रुतः: renowned
• विश्रुतः: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + श्रु (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); ‘renowned’

• स्वेन: by his own
• स्वेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• कर्मणा: deed(s)
• कर्मणा: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• निमिः: Nimi
• निमिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• परमधर्मात्मा: supremely righteous
• परमधर्मात्मा: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम + धर्मात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कर्मधारय (परमः धर्मात्मा), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of निमिः

• सर्वसत्त्ववताम्: of all the strong/virtuous ones
• सर्वसत्त्ववताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + सत्त्ववत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (सर्वेषां सत्त्ववतां), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वरः: the best
• वरः: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

"O Great sage! O Best of ascetics! while one offers his daughter (in marriage), one born in a noble family should describe his genealogy in full. Listen.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Satya and maryādā in social rites: marriage alliances require truthful disclosure of lineage, ensuring transparency, legitimacy, and mutual respect between families.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka prefaces his genealogical account, explaining why he is narrating his dynasty before giving Sītā in marriage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity and procedural righteousness—following established dharmic norms for solemn family rites.