Shloka 6

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं

Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu

Devanagari script

सुखोपविष्टं राजानं विश्वामित्रं महातपा:।पप्रच्छ जपतां श्रेष्ठो वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मणस्सुत:।।।।

Transliteration

sukhopaviṣṭaṃ rājānaṃ viśvāmitraṃ mahātapāḥ |

papraccha japatāṃ śreṣṭho vasiṣṭho brahmaṇas sutaḥ ||

Translation

सुखपूर्वक बैठे हुए राजा विश्वामित्र को देखकर महातपस्वी, ब्रह्मा-पुत्र, जप करने वालों में श्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठ ने उनसे आगे प्रश्न किया।

Word by Word

• कच्चित्: is it (the case) that...?
• कच्चित्: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कच्चित् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-निपात (interrogative particle: whether/indeed?)

• ते: your / for you
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/चतुर्थी-एकवचनरूपम्; अत्र षष्ठी (Genitive) ‘of you/your’ (with kuśalam)

• कुशलम्: well-being
• कुशलम्: Karma (कर्म) (object of implied ‘asti’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; अत्र प्रश्नवाक्ये ‘well-being’

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• कच्चित्: whether
• कच्चित्: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कच्चित् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-निपात

• धर्मेण: by righteousness
• धर्मेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• रञ्जयन्: delighting
• रञ्जयन्: Karta (कर्ता) (concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रञ्ज् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि; पालयसे इत्यस्य सहवर्ती क्रिया

• प्रजाः: subjects
• प्रजाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• पालयसे: do you rule / protect
• पालयसे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पाल् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन

• वीर: O hero
• वीर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• राजवृत्तेन: by kingly conduct
• राजवृत्तेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: राज्ञः वृत्तम् (kingly conduct/duty)

• धार्मिक: O righteous one
• धार्मिक: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Context

O Kamadhenu! quickly entertain them for my sake with the food of six kinds of tastes (varieties of rich dishes) as desired by each.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra
• Brahmā

FAQs

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

Dharma in dialogue: thoughtful inquiry after establishing comfort and respect—speech becomes a tool for harmony rather than conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

With Viśvāmitra now settled, Vasiṣṭha begins a formal enquiry, leading into questions about the king’s welfare and governance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s disciplined speech and attentiveness—he proceeds methodically, reflecting a sage’s restraint.