Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.43: Bala Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 43

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis

Narada’s Summary to Valmiki

Addressed to ValmikiSetting: वन (forest) where Rāma dwellsPlaces named: वनम्

Devanagari script

वसतस्तस्य रामस्य वने वनचरैस्सह ।

ऋषयोऽभ्यागमन्सर्वे वधायासुररक्षसाम् ॥४३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.1.43

Transliteration

vasatas tasya rāmasya vane vana-caraiḥ saha |

ṛṣayo ’bhyāgaman sarve vadhāyāsura-rakṣasām ||43||

Translation

राम वन में रह रहे थे, वहाँ के लोगों के साथ। तब सारे रिशि उनके पास आए। रिशियों ने कहा कि राक्षस और असुर का नाश करो।

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Word by Word

• वसतः: while (he) was dwelling / of the dwelling one
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; 'वसत्' = dwelling (of)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• तस्य: of him
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• रामस्य: of Rama
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)

• वने: in the forest
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)

• वनचरैः: with forest-dwellers
• Type: Noun
• Root: वनचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (वने चरन्ति इति)
• Role: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/सह)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• सह: together with
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-अव्यय (preposition/particle meaning 'with')
• Role: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)

• ऋषयः: sages
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• अभ्यागमन्: approached/came
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-आ-गम् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; उपसर्गः अभि + आ
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• सर्वे: all
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies ऋषयः)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• वधाय: for the slaying
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (purpose)
• Role: Sampradāna/Prayojana (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)

• असुर-रक्षसाम्: of asuras and rakshasas
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (असुराश्च रक्षसश्च)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Compound: Dvandva

Sandhi Notes

• वसतस्तस्य = वसतः + तस्य
• वनचरैस्सह = वनचरैः + सह
• ऋषयोऽभ्यागमन् = ऋषयः + अभ्यागमन्
• वधायासुररक्षसाम् = वधाय + असुररक्षसाम्

Context

While Rama was dwelling in the forest (in the hermitage of sage Sarabhanga), all the ascetics along with others (sages) inhabiting the forest approached Rama requesting for the destruction of the asuras and rakshasas seizing upon their lives.

The teaching

Ethical theme

धर्म-रक्षा/क्षात्रधर्म

Devotion and practice

Deity praised

राम (protector aspect)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Raudra (fury)

Mood

Urgent, protective, martial

Themes

• Dharma
• Protection of sages
• Kṣātra-dharma
• Lokasaṅgraha
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Ṛṣis
• asuras
• rākṣasas
• forest (vana)
• forest-dwellers (vana-carāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma is protection of the innocent and safeguarding spiritual life: the sages seek Rāma’s kṣātra-duty (royal duty) to remove violent threats to yajña and āśrama order.

What is the narrative situation?

During Rāma’s forest life, ascetics collectively approach him for help against predatory asuras and rākṣasas who endanger their lives and austerities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s role as protector (rakṣaka) and upholder of social-spiritual order, responding to legitimate appeals for justice.