Valmiki Ramayana 1.73.5 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 5

त्रिसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 73): Mithilā Vivāha

Kanyādāna and the Fourfold Marriage Rites

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा त्वहमयोध्यायां विवाहार्थं तवात्मजान् ।मिथिलामुपयातांस्तु त्वया सह महीपते।।।।त्वरयाभ्युपयातोऽहं द्रष्टुकाम स्स्वसुस्सुतम्।

Transliteration

śrutvā tv aham ayodhyāyāṃ vivāhārthaṃ tavātmajān | mithilām upayātāṃs tu tvayā saha mahīpate || tvarayābhyupayāto 'haṃ draṣṭukāmaḥ svasuḥ sutam ||

Translation

Ô roi, ayant appris à Ayodhyā que tu étais venu à Mithilā avec tes fils pour leur mariage, je me suis hâté d’accourir, désirant voir le fils de ma sœur.

Word by Word

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (discourse particle)

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

• daśarathaḥ: Daśaratha
• daśarathaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (proper noun)

• priya-atithim: dear guest
• priya-atithim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक) + atithi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: 'priyaḥ atithiḥ'

• upasthitam: arrived / present
• upasthitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-√sthā (उप+स्था धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'atithim' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyā-sahakārī (क्रियासहकारी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund), अव्ययभाव

• parama-satkāraiḥ: with highest honors
• parama-satkāraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + satkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instr/3rd), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: 'paramāḥ satkārāḥ'

• pūjā-arham: worthy of honor
• pūjā-arham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक) + arha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'pūjāyāḥ arhaḥ' = worthy of worship/honor; 'atithim' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• samapūjayat: honored / worshipped
• samapūjayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√pūj (सम्+पूज् धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Context

O King! having heard in Ayodhya that you have arrived in Mithila along with your sons for their marriage I came here speedily with a desire to see my sister's son .

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Mithilā
• Daśaratha
• Daśaratha’s sons (Rāma and brothers, implied)

FAQs

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

It affirms kula-dharma (family duty): kinship obligations and affection motivate timely support and presence at major life-rites like marriage.

What is the narrative situation?

A relative arrives from Ayodhyā to Mithilā after hearing of the princes’ marriage arrangements, eager to meet his sister’s son.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Affectionate loyalty to family: the speaker’s urgency reflects care and responsibility toward relatives.