Valmiki Ramayana 1.24.30: Bala Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 30

गङ्गा-सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद-करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः

The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada-Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest

Spoken by Viśvāmitra to RamaSetting: At the threshold of Tāṭakā’s forest near the afflicted regionPlaces named: Tāṭakā’s forestImmediate prelude to confrontation

Devanagari script

स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य जहीमां दुष्टचारिणीम् ।

मन्नियोगादिमं देशं कुरु निष्कण्टकं पुनः ॥३०॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.24.30

Transliteration

sva-bāhu-balam āśritya jahīmāṃ duṣṭacāriṇīm |

man-niyogād imaṃ deśaṃ kuru niṣkaṇṭakaṃ punaḥ ||30||

Translation

अपने हाथों की ताकत से इस बुरी औरत को मार डाल। मेरा काम है तुमसे यह बोलना। इस इलाके को साफ कर दो ताकि लोग आराम से आए-जाएँ।

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Word by Word

• सा: she
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: कर्ता

• इयम्: this (one)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेष-निर्देश (deictic)
• Role: समनाधिकरण (Apposition to सा)

• पन्थानम्: the path
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथिन्/पन्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: कर्म (Object of आवृत्य)

• आवृत्य: having blocked
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (धातु) + क्त्वा (अव्यय-कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); 'having covered/blocked'
• Role: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Gerund; manner)

• वसति: dwells
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन
• Role: क्रिया

• अध्यर्धयोजने: at a distance of one-and-a-half yojanas
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्यर्धयोजन = अध्यर्ध + योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'one-and-a-half yojanas' as a measure; स्थानवाचक
• Role: अधिकरण (देशाधिकरण/Location)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• अतः: therefore
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ (causal adverb)
• Role: सम्बन्ध (Reason)

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (restrictive particle)
• Role: सम्बन्ध

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation)
• Role: सम्बन्ध (Negation)

• गन्तव्यम्: should be traversed
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligation); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय: 'should be gone/should be traversed'
• Role: विधेय (Obligation predicate)

• ताटकायाः: of Tāṭakā
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताटका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन
• Role: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)

• वनम्: forest
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here as object of implied 'go' with गन्तव्यम्
• Role: कर्म (Object; destination)

• यतः: because/for which reason
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ (causal relative adverb)
• Role: सम्बन्ध (Reason)

Sandhi Notes

• सेयं = सा + इयम्
• पन्थानमावृत्य = पन्थानम् + आवृत्य
• वसत्यध्यर्धयोजने = वसति + अध्यर्धयोजने
• अत एव = अतः + एव

Context

"By the strength of your arms slay this one of wicked deeds. Comply with my orders and make this country safe (and habitable).

The teaching

Strength is dharmic when employed under right guidance to remove ‘thorns’ that harm the innocent.

Duties in tension

• Non-violence/compassion toward a female being
• Kṣatriya obligation to protect society and obey righteous guru-command

Ethical theme

Righteous force / protection of the many

How it resolves

Dharma-based authorization of force (punitive protection) under guru-niyoga

For your practice

Supports sādhana of niyama and courage: act decisively against inner ‘thorns’ (harmful tendencies) under the guidance of śāstra/guru.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Raudra (fury)

Mood

Resolute, commanding, purifying

Themes

• Dharma
• Maryada
• Itihasa
• Ethics
• Kshatriya duty
• Restoration of order

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Tāṭakā

FAQs

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

Kṣatriya-dharma: using rightful strength to remove a persistent threat and restore safety for the community.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra explicitly commands Rāma to eliminate Tāṭakā so the region becomes secure again.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage in service of justice—strength is framed as a tool for protection, not aggression.