Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 1

विशालानगरीप्रवेशः

Entry toward Viśālā and the Indra–Kṣīrodamathana Legend

Devanagari script

विश्वामित्रवचश्श्रुत्वा राघव स्सहलक्ष्मण:।विस्मयं परमं गत्वा विश्वामित्रमथाब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

tathaivāṃśumatā tāta loke ’pratimatejasā | gaṅgāṃ prārthayatā netuṃ pratijñā nāpavarjitā || 1.44.9 ||

Translation

Demikian pula, wahai anak terkasih; meski Aṃśumān memiliki daya dan wibawa tiada banding di dunia, ketika ia memohon agar Gaṅgā dibawa turun, ikrarnya tetap belum dapat dituntaskan.

Word by Word

• विश्वामित्रवचः: Visvamitra's words
• विश्वामित्रवचः: Karma (कर्म/Object of hearing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र + वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विश्वामित्रस्य वचः)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having heard’

• राघवः: Raghava (Rama)
• राघवः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राघव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (सहार्थ/Accompaniment marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक-उपसर्गसदृश (prepositional indeclinable ‘with’)

• लक्ष्मणः: Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मणः: Sahakari-karta (सहकारीकर्ता/Co-subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विस्मयम्: astonishment
• विस्मयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विस्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परमम्: great
• परमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of विस्मयम्)

• गत्वा: having attained
• गत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having gone/attained’

• विश्वामित्रम्: to Visvamitra
• विश्वामित्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of speaking/addressing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/कालवाचक (then/thereupon)

• अब्रवीत्: spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist/Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Context

On hearing the words of Viswamitra, Rama along with Lakshmana, filled with astonishment said to him:

Characters & Entities

• Aṃśumān
• Gaṅgā

FAQs

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

Dharma is not merely power but steadfastness aligned with right means; even extraordinary prowess does not guarantee success unless conditions (divine, moral, and practical) converge.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration emphasizes that Aṃśumān, despite great might, did not complete the vow of bringing Gaṅgā—setting the stage for Bhagīratha’s eventual success.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility before dharma and destiny: recognizing that righteous goals may require continued effort beyond a single lifetime.