Valmiki Ramayana 1.63.18: Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 18

विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्

Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status

Spoken by Brahma to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

महर्षे स्वागतं वत्स तपसोग्रेण तोषितः ।

महत्त्वमृषिमुख्यत्वं ददामि तव कौशिक ॥१८॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.63.18

Transliteration

maharṣe svāgataṃ vatsa tapasogreṇa toṣitaḥ |

mahattvam ṛṣimukhyatvaṃ dadāmi tava kauśika ||18||

Translation

ब्रह्मा ने कहा, "आओ महर्षि, आओ बेटा। तुम्हारी तपस्या देख के मैं खुश हो गया। कौशिक, मैं तुम्हे रिशियों में बड़ा बनाता हूँ।"

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Word by Word

• महर्षे: O great sage
• Type: Noun
• Root: महर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)
• Role: सम्बोधन (Address)

• स्वागतम्: welcome
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वागत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); आशीर्वचन/उद्गार (welcome-expression)
• Role: वाक्यांश (Predicative/utterance)

• वत्स: O child
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)
• Role: सम्बोधन (Address)

• तपसा: by austerity
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)
• Role: करण (Instrument/Means)

• उग्रेण: intense
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of 'तपसा'
• Role: करणे विशेषण (Adjectival to instrument)

• तोषितः: pleased
• Type: Verb
• Root: तुष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nom/1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे: 'I am pleased' (speaker Brahmā)
• Role: कर्ता-भाव (Predicate of speaker)

• महत्त्वम्: greatness; eminence
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object)

• ऋषिमुख्यत्वम्: preeminence among sages
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि + मुख्यत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'ऋषीणां मुख्यत्वम्'
• Role: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• ददामि: I give
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद
• Role: क्रिया (Main verb)

• तव: to you; your
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)
• Role: सम्प्रदान-सम्बन्ध (Recipient relation)

• कौशिक: O Kauśika
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)
• Role: सम्बोधन (Address)

Sandhi Notes

• तपसः + उग्रेण → तपसोग्रेण (visarga→o before vowel)
• महत्त्वम् + ऋषिमुख्यत्वम् → महत्त्वमृषिमुख्यत्वम् (m + ṛ sandhi)

Context

"O Maharshi! O Child welcome! Pleased with your intense austerities, O Son of Kushika! I confer upon you the eminent rank of a great rishi (maharshi)".

The teaching

Spiritual eminence is earned by disciplined effort (tapas) and acknowledged when inner transformation ripens.

Ethical theme

Self-discipline (tapas) and merit (puṇya)

How it resolves

Recognition/validation of earned spiritual rank

Devotion and practice

Encourages perseverance in tapas and humility when receiving recognition; supports sādhaka’s focus on inner qualification over external status.

Deity praised

Brahmā

Form of praise

Vandana (salutation)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Benediction, awe, consecratory

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Tapas
• Spiritual authority
• Recognition
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Viśvāmitra (Kauśika)
• Maharṣi (title/status)

FAQs

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

Dharma teaches that disciplined self-effort (tapas) can transform one’s standing; rightful authority is conferred when inner discipline is proven.

What is the narrative situation?

Brahmā formally welcomes Viśvāmitra and grants him elevated sage-status based on his intense austerities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Austerity and steadfast striving as the foundation for legitimate spiritual rank.