Valmiki Ramayana 1.23.3: Bala Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 3

कामाश्रम

प्रवेशः / Entry into Kāma’s Hermitage at the Sarayū-Gaṅgā Confluence

Setting: ForestHalt with Viśvāmitra; morning purification and mantra practice before onward action

Devanagari script

तस्यर्षेः परमोदारं वचश्श्रुत्वा नृपात्मजौ ।

स्नात्वा कृतोदकौ वीरौ जेपतुः परमं जपम् ॥३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.23.3

Transliteration

tasyarṣeḥ paramodāraṃ vacaḥ śrutvā nṛpātmajau |

snātvā kṛtodakau vīrau jepatuḥ paramaṃ japam ||3||

Translation

रिशि के इतने अच्छे बात सुनकर दोनों राजा के बेटे ने स्नान किया। फिर पानी चढ़ाया और भगवान का नाम लिया।

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Word by Word

• kṛta-āhnikau: having completed the daily rites
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) → kṛta (कृदन्त, क्त) + āhnika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'kṛtam āhnikam yābhyām' = having performed daily rites
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• mahā-vīryau: of great prowess
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; कर्मधारयः (mahad vīryam yayor) used adjectivally
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• viśvāmitram: Viśvāmitra
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Dvitīyā-vibhakti (Accusative), Ekavacana
• Role: Karma (कर्म / Object of salutation)

• tapo-dhanam: the one whose wealth is austerity
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Dvitīyā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहिः: 'tapo dhanaṃ yasya saḥ' = one whose wealth is austerity; apposition to viśvāmitram
• Role: Karma (कर्म / Apposition)
• Compound: Bahuvrihi

• abhivādya: having saluted
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√vad (धातु) → abhivādya (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष)
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund/ल्यप्); 'having saluted'
• Role: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)

• abhisaṃhṛṣṭau: highly delighted
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-saṃ-√hṛṣ (धातु) → abhisaṃhṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; 'highly delighted/energized'
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)

• gamanāya: for going / for the journey
• Type: Noun
• Root: gamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsaka; Caturthī-vibhakti (Dative/सम्प्रदान), Ekavacana; प्रयोजन-द्योतक (purpose)
• Role: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदानम् / Purpose-dative)

• abhitasthatuḥ: stood ready (before him)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect); Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Dvivacana; Parasmaipada; 'stood near/stood ready'
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• abhivādyābhisaṃhṛṣṭau = abhivādya + abhisaṃhṛṣṭau (vowel sandhi)
• gamanāyābhitasthatuḥ = gamanāya + abhitasthatuḥ (ā+a → ā)

Context

On hearing the very affectionate call of Viswamitra both the brave princes had their bath and offered oblations to Sun-god (standing in the water) and recited the holy name of the Lord.

The teaching

Guru’s gracious instruction is honored through immediate purification and practice; inner power for action is grounded in śauca and mantra-sādhana.

Ethical theme

Guru-śiṣya dharma / ritual discipline

For your practice

Highlights a complete sādhana sequence: guru-upadeśa → स्नान/उदकक्रिया → जप; useful as a daily practice template.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)

Mood

Purified, devout, resolute

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Āhnika (daily rites)
• Tapas
• Discipline

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (implied: 'that sage')
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined conduct: honoring a teacher’s guidance and performing daily purificatory duties (bath, water-offering, japa) with sincerity.

What is the narrative situation?

After receiving Viśvāmitra’s gracious instruction, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa complete their morning religious observances before proceeding.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent self-discipline—prompt obedience, purity of conduct, and steadiness in sacred practice.