Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.5: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 5

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon

Lore

Setting: Ayodhyā (royal court)

Devanagari script

त्रस्तरूपं तु विज्ञाय जगत्सर्वं महानृषिः ।

नृपतिं सुव्रतो धीरो वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥५॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.21.5

Transliteration

trasta-rūpaṃ tu vijñāya jagat sarvaṃ mahān ṛṣiḥ |

nṛpatiṃ suvrato dhīro vasiṣṭho vākyam abravīt ||5||

Translation

Jab rishi Vashishth ne dekha ki saari duniya darr gayi hai, woh shaant reh gaye. Unhone apna vrat nahi chhoda. Raja se baat karne ke liye taiyaar ho gaye.

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Word by Word

• त्रस्तरूपम्: frightened in appearance
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रस्त-रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (frightened-formed)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/समुच्चयार्थ-भेदक (but/indeed)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)

• विज्ञाय: having understood
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having known)
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• जगत्: the world
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'सर्वम्' इत्यस्य विशेष्य
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• सर्वम्: entire
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (entire)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• महान्: great
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (great)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• ऋषिः: sage
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• नृपतिम्: the king
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बोधन-प्रायः (addressing the king)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• सुव्रतः: of excellent vows
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of excellent vows)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• धीरः: steadfast
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (steadfast)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• वाक्यम्: words/speech
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• जगत्सर्वम् = जगत् + सर्वम्
• वाक्यमब्रवीत् = वाक्यम् + अब्रवीत्

Context

Great Vasishta, an adherent of ascetic practices and steadfast (to duty), seeing that the entire world frightened addressed the king, saying:

The teaching

In moments when the world trembles, the steady voice of dharma (through the guru) must guide royal action.

Duties in tension

• King’s personal attachment vs duty to uphold promise and protect dharma
• Maintaining public order vs appeasing ascetic wrath

Ethical theme

Rāja-nīti and guru-śāsana

How it resolves

Authoritative guru-counsel (śāstra-backed exhortation)

For your practice

Model of dhīratā (steadfastness) and measured speech; cultivate calm counsel in conflict.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Bhayanaka (fear)

Mood

Steadying, counseling, grave

Themes

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Counsel
• Tapas
• Ethics
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha
• World (Jagat)

FAQs

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

When conflict arises, dharma is clarified through wise counsel. Vasiṣṭha steps in to restore balance between royal duty and the sanctity of a promise.

What is the narrative situation?

Seeing cosmic fear due to Viśvāmitra’s wrath, Vasiṣṭha intervenes and begins advising Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s steadiness and disciplined wisdom—responding to crisis with measured guidance rather than agitation.