Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 18

जनकदूतागमनम्

The Arrival of Janaka’s Messengers in Ayodhya

Devanagari script

दृष्टवीर्यस्तु काकुत्स्थो जनकेन महात्मना।सम्प्रदानं सुतायास्तु राघवे कर्तुमिच्छति।।1.68.18।।

Transliteration

dṛṣṭa-vīryas tu kākutstho janakena mahātmanā |

sampradānaṁ sutāyās tu rāghave kartum icchati || 1.68.18 ||

Translation

ಕಾಕುತ್ಸ್ಥ ರಾಮನ ವೀರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಮಹಾತ್ಮ ಜನಕನು ರಾಘವನಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಪುತ್ರಿಯನ್ನು ವಿವಾಹಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ಸಮರ್ಪಿಸಲು ಇಚ್ಛಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ.

Word by Word

• dṛṣṭa-vīryaḥ: (having) proven prowess
• dṛṣṭa-vīryaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛṣṭa (√dṛś कृदन्त) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'one whose prowess has been seen/proved'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• kākutsthaḥ: Kākutstha (Rāma)
• kākutsthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• janakena: by Janaka
• janakena: Kartr̥/Instrument (कर्ता/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• mahātmanā: by the great-souled (one)
• mahātmanā: Kartr̥/Instrument (कर्ता/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular; apposition to janakena

• sampradānam: bestowal/giving away
• sampradānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sampradāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• sutāyāḥ: of (his) daughter
• sutāyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sutā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• rāghave: to Rāghava (Rāma)
• rāghave: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (चतुर्थी/4), Singular

• kartum: to do
• kartum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्)

• icchati: desires
• icchati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (इष् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Singular

Context

Having heard their words, the door-keepers informed the descendant of Raghu (king Dasaratha). Thereafter, with the the king's permission, the messengers entered the royal palace and beheld the aged king Dasaratha who shone like a god.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Kākutstha, Rāghava)
• Janaka

FAQs

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

Marriage is framed as dharmic bestowal based on merit and proven character: Janaka’s decision follows witnessed vīrya (capability) and righteous suitability, not mere hearsay.

What is the narrative situation?

The message reaches the point of proposal: Janaka wishes to give his daughter to Rāma after seeing his feat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s proven excellence (vīrya) and Janaka’s righteous discernment in fulfilling paternal duty.