Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.5: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 5

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon

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Devanagari script

त्रस्तरूपं तु विज्ञाय जगत्सर्वं महानृषिः ।

नृपतिं सुव्रतो धीरो वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥५॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.21.5

Transliteration

trasta-rūpaṃ tu vijñāya jagat sarvaṃ mahān ṛṣiḥ |

nṛpatiṃ suvrato dhīro vasiṣṭho vākyam abravīt ||5||

Translation

ಸಕಲ ಜಗತ್ತು ಭೀತರೂಪವನ್ನು ಪಡೆದಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿದು, ಮಹರ್ಷಿ ವಸಿಷ್ಠನು—ಸುವ್ರತ, ಧೀರ—ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಈ ವಚನವನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

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Word by Word

• त्रस्तरूपम्: frightened in appearance
• त्रस्तरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रस्त-रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (frightened-formed)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/समुच्चयार्थ-भेदक (but/indeed)

• विज्ञाय: having understood
• विज्ञाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having known)

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'सर्वम्' इत्यस्य विशेष्य

• सर्वम्: entire
• सर्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (entire)

• महान्: great
• महान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (great)

• ऋषिः: sage
• ऋषिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नृपतिम्: the king
• नृपतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बोधन-प्रायः (addressing the king)

• सुव्रतः: of excellent vows
• सुव्रतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of excellent vows)

• धीरः: steadfast
• धीरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (steadfast)

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वाक्यम्: words/speech
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Context

Great Vasishta, an adherent of ascetic practices and steadfast (to duty), seeing that the entire world frightened addressed the king, saying:

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha
• World (Jagat)

FAQs

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

When conflict arises, dharma is clarified through wise counsel. Vasiṣṭha steps in to restore balance between royal duty and the sanctity of a promise.

What is the narrative situation?

Seeing cosmic fear due to Viśvāmitra’s wrath, Vasiṣṭha intervenes and begins advising Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s steadiness and disciplined wisdom—responding to crisis with measured guidance rather than agitation.