Valmiki Ramayana 1.2.25: Bala Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 25

द्वितीयः सर्गः · श्लोकप्रादुर्भावः

The Manifestation of the Śloka

Setting: Hermitage reception area (implied)

Devanagari script

पूजयामास तं देवं पाद्यार्घ्यासनवन्दनैः ।

प्रणम्य विधिवच्चैनं पृष्ट्वाऽनामयमव्ययम् ॥२५॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.2.25

Transliteration

pūjayāmāsa taṃ devaṃ pādyārghyāsanavandanaiḥ |

praṇamya vidhivac cainaṃ pṛṣṭvā ’nāmayam avyayam ||25||

Translation

वाल्मीकि ने ब्रह्मा की पूजा की। उनके पाँव धोने का पानी दिया, अर्घ्य दिया, बैठने की जगह दिया और उनको प्रणाम किया। सारी चीज़ें सही तरीके से की। फिर उनसे पूछा कि आप ठीक हैं ना।

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Word by Word

• पूजयामास: worshipped
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect) periphrastic; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया/Main verb)

• तम्: him
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object)

• देवम्: the god
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘tam’ apposition
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object apposition)

• पाद्य-अर्घ्य-आसन-वन्दनैः: with foot-water, arghya, seat, and salutations
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य + अर्घ्य + आसन + वन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; साधन (means)
• Role: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Compound: Dvandva

• प्रणम्य: having bowed
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive); ‘having bowed’
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• विधिवत्: duly/according to rite
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘according to rule’)
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय
• Role: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)

• एनम्: this one/him
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object of asking)

• पृष्ट्वा: having enquired
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive); ‘having asked/enquired’
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• अनामयम्: well-being
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनामय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘welfare/health’
• Role: Karma (कर्म/Object of asking)

• अव्ययम्: immutable
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘enam/devam’)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

Sandhi Notes

• विधिवच्चैनं = विधिवत् + च + एनम्
• पृष्ट्वाऽनामयम् = पृष्ट्वा + अनामयम्

Context

Bowing with reverence as enjoined by tradition and having enquired of his well being,Valmiki worshipped the immutable Brahma by falling at his feet and welcoming him with a seat and water to wash his feet with.

The teaching

Dharma is enacted through precise hospitality and reverence; ritual order expresses inner humility.

Ethical theme

Atithi-dharma / deva-pūjā

Devotion and practice

Practical template for pūjā-upacāras (pādya, arghya, āsana, namaskāra) and respectful inquiry; supports daily worship discipline.

Deity praised

Brahmā

Form of praise

Vandana (salutation)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Ritualistic, reverent, orderly

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Atithi-dharma
• Ritual etiquette
• Reverence

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki
• Brahmā
• pādya
• arghya
• āsana

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed through respectful reception and proper conduct toward the venerable; honoring the divine/wise sustains satya-based culture and right relationship.

What is the narrative situation?

Vālmīki formally receives Brahmā with ritual hospitality and asks about his well-being.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vālmīki’s meticulous courtesy and reverence—embodying atithi-dharma.