Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 56, Shloka 22

बालकाण्ड ५६: विश्वामित्र–वसिष्ठ अस्त्रसंघर्षः

Visvamitra and Vasistha: Contest of Divine Weapons

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो महातेजाश्शमं चक्रे महातपा:।विश्वामित्रोऽपि निकृतो विनिश्वस्येदमब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

evam ukto mahātejāḥ śamaṃ cakre mahātapāḥ |

viśvāmitro ’pi nikṛto viniśvasya idam abravīt ||

Translation

このように告げられると、偉大な光威をもつ大苦行者は静まりました。ヴィシュヴァーミトラもまた屈し、ひとつ嘆息して次の言葉を語りました。

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) / Adverbial
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus')

• उक्तः: having been spoken to / addressed
• उक्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of विश्वामित्रः

• महातेजाः: the great-splendoured one
• महातेजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारयः: महत् तेजः यस्य सः

• शमम्: tranquillity / calm
• शमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• चक्रे: made / assumed
• चक्रे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); आत्मनेपदम् (Atmanepada)

• महातपाः: the great ascetic
• महातपाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारयः: महत् तपः यस्य सः; apposition to महातेजाः

• विश्वामित्रः: Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) / Particle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (particle: 'also/even')

• निकृतः: humiliated / thwarted
• निकृतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि + कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of विश्वामित्रः

• विनिश्वस्य: having sighed
• विनिश्वस्य: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नि + श्वस् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): 'having sighed'; अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग (indeclinable usage)

• इदम्: this (speech/word)
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); वाक्यकर्म (object of speech)

• अब्रवीत्: said / spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपदम् (Parasmaipada)

Context

The Brahmadanda (released by Vasishta) put down the dreadful agneya astra released by Gadhi's son just like the force of fire is extinguished by water.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Dharma is restored when passions subside into śama; peace is the rightful conclusion of conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

The sages’ counsel succeeds: Vasiṣṭha becomes calm, and the defeated Viśvāmitra prepares to reflect aloud.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śama—inner quietude that prevents further destruction even when one has the power to continue.