Valmiki Ramayana 1.12.19: Bala Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 19

द्वादशः सर्गः · Aśvamedha-saṅkalpa

Daśaratha resolves on the Horse Sacrifice

Devanagari script

तथेति च ततस्सर्वे मन्त्रिणः प्रत्यपूजयन् ।

पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य तद्वाक्यं यथाज्ञप्तमकुर्वत ॥१९॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.12.19

Transliteration

tatheti ca tatassarve mantriṇaḥ pratyapūjayan |

pārthivendrasya tadvākyaṃ yathājñaptamakurvata ||19||

Translation

सब मंत्रियों ने कहा, ठीक है। उन्होंने राजा की बात मान ली। राजा जो कहता है, वही किया। सब ने राजा के आदेश का पालन किया।

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Word by Word

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner)

• इति: saying "so"
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक/उद्धरणसूचक (quotative particle)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपादानार्थे/कालवाचक (then/thereafter)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); बहुवचन (Plural)

• मन्त्रिणः: ministers/counsellors
• मन्त्रिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); बहुवचन (Plural)

• प्रत्यपूजयन्: honoured / paid respects
• प्रत्यपूजयन्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati + pūj (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपद

• पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य: of the king (lord of the earth)
• पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārthivendra (प्रातिपदिक: pārthiva + indra)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (6th/Genitive); एकवचन (Singular)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); एकवचन (Singular)

• वाक्यम्: statement/command
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); एकवचन (Singular)

• यथा: as
• यथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक/उपमानार्थक (as/in the manner)

• आज्ञप्तम्: ordered/commanded
• आज्ञप्तम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā + jñap (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); एकवचन (Singular)

• अकुर्वत: they carried out / did
• अकुर्वत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); बहुवचन (Plural); आत्मनेपद

Context

Honouring the words of the king, all the ministers did as ordered.

Characters & Entities

• Dasaratha
• Ministers

FAQs

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

The verse demonstrates the dharma of loyal service and proper governance. The ministers exemplify the ideal relationship between a king and his counselors - they respectfully accept royal commands and execute them faithfully, ensuring the smooth functioning of the kingdom's sacred and administrative affairs.

What is the narrative situation?

Following King Dasaratha's detailed instructions about conducting the sacrifice without flaws to avoid interference from brahmarakshasas, the ministers formally accept the king's orders with respect and immediately proceed to implement them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse emphasizes the ministers' virtues of loyalty, respect for authority, and prompt execution of duty. Their response 'tathā' (so be it) demonstrates immediate acceptance and commitment to fulfilling the king's righteous commands.