Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 14

त्रिसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 73): Mithilā Vivāha

Kanyādāna and the Fourfold Marriage Rites

Devanagari script

कस्स्थित: प्रतिहारो मे कस्याज्ञा सम्प्रतीक्ष्यते।।।।स्वगृहे को विचारोऽस्ति यथा राज्यमिदं तव।

Transliteration

kas sthitaḥ pratihāro me kasyājñā sampratīkṣyate | svagṛhe ko vicāro 'sti yathā rājyam idaṃ tava ||

Translation

何を待っておられるのか——門番があなたを妨げたのですか。いま誰の命をお待ちなのか。自らの家でなぜためらうのか。この国はまるであなたのもの同然です。

Word by Word

• sajjaḥ: ready
• sajjaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sajja (सज्ज प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate adjective to ‘aham’

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tvatpratīkṣaḥ: waiting for you
• tvatpratīkṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tvat + pratīkṣa (त्वत् + प्रतीक्ष प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa: ‘tvām pratīkṣate’ / ‘tvad-āgamana-pratīkṣaḥ’ = awaiting you

• asmi: am
• asmi: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (अस् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra, Parasmaipada; Uttama puruṣa (1st), Ekavacana

• vedyām: on the altar
• vedyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vedī (वेदी प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• asyām: on this
• asyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (इदम् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; demonstrative qualifying ‘vedyām’

• pratiṣṭhitaḥ: standing
• pratiṣṭhitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prati-√sthā (प्रति + स्था धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Kta-participle; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘standing/established’

• avighnam: without hindrance
• avighnam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a + vighna (अ + विघ्न प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; used adverbially ‘without obstacle’

• kurutām: let (it) be done
• kurutām: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Loṭ lakāra (imperative/benedictive usage), Parasmaipada; Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Dvivacana (dual) or honorific plural sense depending on context; here ‘let (it) be done’ (injunctive blessing)

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता) (subject of ‘avalambate’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (राजन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• kimartham: why
• kimartham: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim + artha (किम् + अर्थ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (idiomatic); Tatpuruṣa forming interrogative adverb ‘for what reason?’

• avalambate: delays/hesitates
• avalambate: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√lamb (अव + लम्ब् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra, Ātmanepada; Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana

Context

"Did any guard prevent you? Whose command are you waiting for? Why do you hesitate to enter into your own house? This kingdom is like your kingdom".

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Daśaratha
• rājya (kingdom)

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as atithi-satkara (honoring guests) and kinship-based trust: Janaka removes all formality so that the guest-king may act without inhibition, reflecting righteous hospitality.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka urges Daśaratha to enter without delay or deference, treating him as family in the wedding setting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s warmth, humility, and generosity—he treats the guest’s presence as rightful and unimpeded.