Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 14

जनकदूतागमनम्

The Arrival of Janaka’s Messengers in Ayodhya

Devanagari script

एवं विदेहाधिपतिर्मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।1.68.14।।विश्वामित्राभ्यनुज्ञात श्शतानन्दमते स्थित:।इत्युक्त्वा विरता दूता राजगौरवशङ्किता:।।1.68.15।।

Transliteration

evaṃ videhādhipatir madhuraṃ vākyam abravīt || 1.68.14 || viśvāmitrābhyanujñātaḥ śatānandamate sthitaḥ | ity uktvā viratā dūtā rājagauravaśaṅkitāḥ || 1.68.15 ||

Translation

かくしてヴィデーハの主は甘美なる言葉を語った。ヴィシュヴァーミトラの許しを得、シャターナンダの意見に従い、使者たちはそれを述べ終えると、王への敬意により言葉を収めた。

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• videha-adhipatiḥ: the lord of Videha (Janaka)
• videha-adhipatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: videha (प्रातिपदिक) + adhipati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• madhuram: sweet
• madhuram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies vākyam

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

• abravīt: spoke
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष/3rd person), Singular

Context

The king of Videha (Janaka) with Viswamitra's approval and in line with Satananda's thinking has conveyed these sweet words". The messengers having said so concluded out of respect for their king (afraid that they might look overtalkative).

Characters & Entities

• Janaka (Videhādhipati)
• Videha
• Viśvāmitra
• Śatānanda
• dūta (messengers)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes disciplined speech and respect for hierarchy: envoys speak only what is authorized, guided by sages’ approval, and stop appropriately out of propriety (maryādā).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration closes the envoys’ formal message to Daśaratha, noting it was aligned with Viśvāmitra and Śatānanda and delivered with courtly restraint.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Restraint and decorum—messengers embody controlled, respectful communication, a key virtue in royal and dharmic governance.