Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 18

विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्

Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status

Devanagari script

महर्षे स्वागतं वत्स तपसोग्रेण तोषित:।महत्त्वमृषिमुख्यत्वं ददामि तव कौशिक ।।।।

Transliteration

maharṣe svāgataṃ vatsa tapasogreṇa toṣitaḥ | mahattvam ṛṣimukhyatvaṃ dadāmi tava kauśika ||

Translation

ಮಹರ್ಷೇ, ಸ್ವಾಗತ ವತ್ಸ! ನಿನ್ನ ಉಗ್ರ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ತೃಪ್ತನಾಗಿ, ಹೇ ಕೌಶಿಕ, ನಿನಗೆ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನೂ ಋಷಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠತ್ವವನ್ನೂ ನಾನು ದಯಪಾಲಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.

Word by Word

• महर्षे: O great sage
• महर्षे: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वागतम्: welcome
• स्वागतम्: वाक्यांश (Predicative/utterance)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वागत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); आशीर्वचन/उद्गार (welcome-expression)

• वत्स: O child
• वत्स: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: करण (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• उग्रेण: intense
• उग्रेण: करणे विशेषण (Adjectival to instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of 'तपसा'

• तोषितः: pleased
• तोषितः: कर्ता-भाव (Predicate of speaker)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तुष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nom/1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे: 'I am pleased' (speaker Brahmā)

• महत्त्वम्: greatness; eminence
• महत्त्वम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• ऋषिमुख्यत्वम्: preeminence among sages
• ऋषिमुख्यत्वम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि + मुख्यत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'ऋषीणां मुख्यत्वम्'

• ददामि: I give
• ददामि: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• तव: to you; your
• तव: सम्प्रदान-सम्बन्ध (Recipient relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• कौशिक: O Kauśika
• कौशिक: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

"O Maharshi! O Child welcome! Pleased with your intense austerities, O Son of Kushika! I confer upon you the eminent rank of a great rishi (maharshi)".

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Viśvāmitra (Kauśika)
• Maharṣi (title/status)

FAQs

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

Dharma teaches that disciplined self-effort (tapas) can transform one’s standing; rightful authority is conferred when inner discipline is proven.

What is the narrative situation?

Brahmā formally welcomes Viśvāmitra and grants him elevated sage-status based on his intense austerities.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Austerity and steadfast striving as the foundation for legitimate spiritual rank.