Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 4

विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञरक्षा-याचना

Visvamitra Requests Rama for Yajna-Protection

Devanagari script

अहंनियममातिष्ठे सिध्यर्थं पुरुषर्षभ।तस्य विघ्नकरौ द्वौ तु राक्षसौ कामरूपिणौ।।।।

Transliteration

ahaṃ niyamam ātiṣṭhe sidhyarthaṃ puruṣarṣabha | tasya vighnakarau dvau tu rākṣasau kāmarūpiṇau ||

Translation

ഹേ പുരുഷർഷഭാ, യജ്ഞസിദ്ധിക്കായി ഞാൻ കഠിനമായ നിയമവ്രതം ആചരിക്കുന്നു; എന്നാൽ ഇഷ്ടരൂപം ധരിക്കുന്ന രണ്ടു രാക്ഷസർ അതിന് വിഘ്നം സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नियमम्: religious observance/discipline
• नियमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• आतिष्ठे: I undertake/observe
• आतिष्ठे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; अर्थः: 'I undertake/abide by'

• सिध्यर्थम्: for success/accomplishment
• सिध्यर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: समासः: सिध्यर्थ = 'सिद्ध्यर्थम्' (for the sake of success; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa/arthasamāsa); पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे

• पुरुषर्षभ: O best of men
• पुरुषर्षभ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: समासः: 'पुरुषाणाम् ऋषभः' (best of men); पुल्लिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• तस्य: of that (rite)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन

• विघ्नकरौ: causing obstacles
• विघ्नकरौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विघ्न + कर (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: समासः: विघ्नकर = 'विघ्नं करोति' (upapada tatpuruṣa); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), द्विवचन (dual); 'राक्षसौ' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle): contrast

• राक्षसौ: two rākṣasas
• राक्षसौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• कामरूपिणौ: shape-shifting at will
• कामरूपिणौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: समासः: कामरूपिन् = 'कामेन रूपं यस्य' (instrumental tatpuruṣa; at will); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; 'राक्षसौ' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Daśaratha
• rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma here includes safeguarding sacred rites and ascetic observances; when adharma disrupts yajña, righteous power and royal support are called upon to protect it.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra explains that his ongoing observance aimed at completing a sacrificial rite is being obstructed by two shape-shifting demons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s tapas and niyama (disciplined vow) are highlighted, along with the implied duty of rulers to protect such dharmic acts.