Shloka 2

तृतीयः सर्गः (Bālakāṇḍa 3): Vālmīki’s Yogic Verification and the Epic Synopsis

Devanagari script

उपस्पृश्योदकं सम्यग्मुनिस्स्थित्वा कृताञ्जलि: ।प्राचीनाग्रेषु दर्भेषु धर्मेणान्वेषते गतिम् ।।।।

Transliteration

upaspṛśyodakaṃ samyag munis sthitvā kṛtāñjaliḥ |

prācīnāgreṣu darbheṣu dharmeṇānvēṣate gatim ||

Translation

शुद्धि हेतु विधिपूर्वक आचमन करके मुनि ने पूर्वाभिमुख कुशासन पर बैठकर, हाथ जोड़कर, तपोबलजन्य धर्म के द्वारा रामकथा की प्राचीन गति का अन्वेषण किया।

Word by Word

उपस्पृश्यhaving performed ācamana (sipping/touching water)

उदकम्water

सम्यक्properly

मुनिःthe sage

स्थित्वाhaving sat/stood

कृताञ्जलिःwith folded palms

प्राचीनाग्रेषुwith tips facing east

दर्भेषुon/among kuśa grass

धर्मेणby dharma/by the power of penance

अन्वेषतेsearches for

गतिम्course/way (of events)

Context

Having performed achamana, Valmiki seated on kusha grass with folded palms, searched for the course of past events in the history of Rama by his power of penance.

Characters & Entities

Vālmīki

udaka (water for ācamana)

east (prācī)

Rāma (implied as the sought narrative)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as inner and outer purity: truthful knowledge is approached through disciplined ritual, humility, and ascetic integrity.

What is the narrative situation?

Vālmīki prepares himself ritually and meditatively, then seeks the complete, authentic account of Rāma’s life through spiritual insight.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vālmīki’s reverence and rigor—his commitment to satya (truth) and dharma as the foundation for composing itihāsa.