Valmiki Ramayana 2.113.15: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 15

पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च

The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya

Setting: Bharadvāja-āśrama (Prayāga region)Bharata’s return-journey toward Ayodhyā after meeting the sage

Devanagari script

एतच्छ्रुत्वा शुभं वाक्यं भरतस्य महात्मनः ।

भरद्वाजश्शुभतरं मुनिर्वाक्यमुवाच तम् ॥१५॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.113.15

Transliteration

etac chrutvā śubhaṃ vākyaṃ bharatasya mahātmanaḥ |

bharadvājaḥ śubhataram munir vākyam uvāca tam ||15||

Translation

മഹാത്മാവായ ഭരതന്റെ ഈ ശുഭവചനങ്ങൾ കേട്ടിട്ട്, മുനി ഭാരദ്വാജൻ അവനോട് അതിലും ശുഭകരമായ വാക്കുകൾ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു.

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Word by Word

• etat: this/this (speech)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• śrutvā: having heard
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (श्रु धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having heard’ (पूर्वकाले कृत्य)
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• śubham: auspicious
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying vākyaṃ
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• vākyam: speech/words
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• bharatasya: of Bharata
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying bharatasya
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• bharadvājaḥ: Bharadvāja
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharadvāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• śubhataraṃ: more auspicious
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Comparative degree (तरप् प्रत्यय), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying vākyam
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• muniḥ: sage
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); in apposition to bharadvājaḥ
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• vākyam: speech/words
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• uvāca: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (वच् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• tam: to him (Bharata)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
• Role: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)

Sandhi Notes

• etacchrutvā → etat + śrutvā
• bharadvājaśśubhataraṃ → bharadvājaḥ + śubhataraṃ
• munirvākyamuvāca → muniḥ + vākyam + uvāca

Context

Hearing the auspicious words of the magnanimous Bharata, sage Bharadwaja said to him in words still more auspicious.

The teaching

Auspicious, dharma-aligned speech exchanged between ruler and sage strengthens right action and steadies the path ahead.

Ethical theme

Sadācāra (noble conduct)

For your practice

Model for approaching saints/teachers: listen with śraddhā and receive upadeśa with humility.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Benedictory, composed, uplifting

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Sādhu-saṅga (uplifting counsel)
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Bharadvāja

FAQs

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

Dharma is strengthened through affirmation by the wise: righteous intent is acknowledged and guided by saintly counsel.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharadvāja responds approvingly to Bharata’s declaration and prepares to praise his virtues.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s mahātmyam (nobility of character) recognized by a sage.