Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 2

हयमेध

यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations

Devanagari script

अभिवाद्य वसिष्ठं च न्यायत: परिपूज्य च।अब्रवीत्प्रश्रितं वाक्यं प्रसवार्थं द्विजोत्तमम्।।1.13.2।।

Transliteration

abhivādya vasiṣṭhaṃ ca nyāyataḥ paripūjya ca | abravīt praśritaṃ vākyaṃ prasavārthaṃ dvijottamam || 1.13.2 ||

Translation

ヴァシシュタに恭しく礼拝し、正しい作法にかなって二度生まれの最勝者をしかるべく供養したのち、王はへりくだって語り、子を得るための方途を求めた。

Word by Word

• abhivādya: having saluted
• abhivādya: Kriyā (क्रिया) (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-vad (अभि + वद्) (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/Absolutive (ल्यप्): 'having saluted'

• vasiṣṭham: Vasiṣṭha
• vasiṣṭham: Karma (कर्म) (object of abhivādya/paripūjya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (वसिष्ठ) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction (समुच्चय): 'and'

• nyāyataḥ: duly/according to rule
• nyāyataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nyāya (न्याय) (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तस्)
• Form: Avyaya, adverbial tasil-formation: 'properly/according to rule'

• paripūjya: having honored
• paripūjya: Kriyā (क्रिया) (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-pūj (परि + पूज्) (धातु)
• Form: Gerund/Absolutive (ल्यप्): 'having honored/worshipped'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ब्रू) (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person Singular, Parasmaipada

• praśritam: humble/respectful
• praśritam: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśrita (प्रश्रित) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter Accusative Singular; qualifies vākyaṃ

• vākyam: words/speech
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म) (object of abravīt)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (वाक्य) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative Singular

• prasavārtham: for begetting offspring
• prasavārtham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prasava + artha (प्रसव + अर्थ) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: 'for the purpose of offspring'

• dvijottamam: the best brahmin
• dvijottamam: Karma (कर्म) (appositional object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija + uttama (द्विज + उत्तम) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa ('best among brahmins'); Masculine Accusative Singular; apposition to vasiṣṭham

Context

"Extend an honourable invitation to brahmins, kshatriyas, merchants and sudras in their thousands residing in all countries.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Approaching a spiritual authority with humility and proper procedure is dharma, especially when seeking a boon tied to lineage and royal responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha formally approaches Vasiṣṭha to request guidance for obtaining children, setting the stage for the sacrificial rite.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vinaya (humility) and maryādā (respectful conduct) in the king’s relationship with his guru-priest.