Valmiki Ramayana 2.68.18: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 18

दूतप्रेषणम् · Dispatch of Messengers to Kekaya

Bharata’s Recall

Setting: बाह्लीक-देश (Bāhlīka) मध्यभाग; सुदामान-पर्वताभिमुख मार्गPlaces named: बाह्लीक, सुदामान पर्वतMessengers’ transit through Bāhlīka toward Sudāmān

Devanagari script

अवेक्ष्याञ्जलिपानांश्च ब्राह्मणान्वेदपारगान् ।

ययुर्मध्येन बाह्लीकान् सुदामानं च पर्वतम् ॥१८॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.68.18

Transliteration

avekṣyāñjalipānāṃś ca brāhmaṇān vedapāragān |

yayur madhyena bāhlīkān sudāmānaṃ ca parvatam ||18||

Translation

അഞ്ജലിയിൽ വെള്ളം കുടിക്കുന്ന വേദപാരംഗത ബ്രാഹ്മണന്മാരെ കണ്ടു, അവർ ബാഹ്ലീകദേശത്തിന്റെ മദ്ധ്യത്തിലൂടെ യാത്രചെയ്ത് സുദാമാൻ പർവതത്തേക്കു നീങ്ങി.

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Word by Word

• अवेक्ष्य: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-√ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund), 'having seen'
• Role: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)

• अञ्जलिपानान्: drinking (water) with cupped palms
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अञ्जलि-पान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः तत्पुरुष (añjalinā pānam = drinking with cupped palms); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण of ब्राह्मणान्
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)

• ब्राह्मणान्: brahmins
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc), बहुवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• वेदपारगान्: versed in the Vedas
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद-पारग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः तत्पुरुष (vedasya pāragāḥ = those who have reached the far shore of the Veda); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण of ब्राह्मणान्
• Role: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• ययुः: went
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• मध्येन: through the middle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचनरूपेण क्रियाविशेषणवत् (instrumental used adverbially: 'through the middle')
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)

• बाह्लीकान्: Bāhlīkas / Bāhlīka country
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाह्लीक (प्रातिपदिक; देशवासी/देश)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; देश/जनपदवाचक
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• सुदामानम्: Sudāman (mountain)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुदामन् (प्रातिपदिक; पर्वत-नाम)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)

• पर्वतम्: mountain
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

Sandhi Notes

• अवेक्ष्याञ्जलिपानांश्च = अवेक्ष्य + अञ्जलिपानान् + च
• ब्राह्मणान्वेदपारगान् = ब्राह्मणान् + वेदपारगान्
• ययुर्मध्येन = ययुः + मध्येन

Context

There they saw the brahmins versed in the Vedas and drank water with cupped palms. Then they continued their journey through the middle of Bahlika country, and reached Sudama mountain.

The teaching

Even amid urgent state missions, dhārmic culture is marked by honoring Veda-knowers and noticing signs of purity and restraint.

Ethical theme

Sadācāra / brahmaṇya

For your practice

Reminder to cultivate simplicity (alpa) and respect for learning; supports daily practice of śauca and humility.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Observant, austere, purposeful

Themes

• Dharma
• Itihasa
• Vedic-Culture
• Respect

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• brāhmaṇas
• Vedas
• Bāhlīka

FAQs

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

Dharma honors learning and austerity: Vedic discipline in daily conduct is presented as a visible marker of righteous culture.

What is the narrative situation?

The messengers pass through regions where they observe Vedic brāhmaṇas and then continue through Bāhlīka toward Sudāmān mountain.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Cultural reverence—recognizing and respecting the signs of tapas and Vedic life.