Valmiki Ramayana 1.77.4 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 4

सप्तसप्ततितमः सर्गः

Ayodhya Return, Bridal Reception, and Bharata’s Departure

Devanagari script

सन्दिशस्व महाराज सेनां त्वच्छासने स्थिताम्।शासनं काङ्क्षते सेना चातकालिर्जलं यथा।।1.77.4।।

Transliteration

sandiśasva mahārāja senāṃ tvacchāsane sthitām | śāsanaṃ kāṅkṣate senā cātakālīr jalaṃ yathā || 1.77.4 ||

Translation

മഹാരാജാവേ, നിങ്ങളുടെ ആജ്ഞയ്ക്കു കീഴിൽ സജ്ജമായി നിൽക്കുന്ന സൈന്യത്തിന് കല്പന നൽകുക; സൈന്യം നിങ്ങളുടെ ഉത്തരവിനെ, ചാതകപ്പക്ഷികളുടെ നിരകൾ ജലത്തിനായി കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ, ആകാംക്ഷയോടെ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• sandiśasva: command/direct
• sandiśasva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√diś (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; आज्ञार्थ

• mahārāja: O great king
• mahārāja: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahārāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (महान् राजा); पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• senām: the army
• senām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tvacchāsane: in your command
• tvacchāsane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvat (प्रातिपदिक) + śāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (your command); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• sthitām: standing/remaining
• sthitām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) from √sthā; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying senām)

• śāsanam: command
• śāsanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• kāṅkṣate: desires/awaits
• kāṅkṣate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kāṅkṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• senā: the army
• senā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• cātakāliḥ: a line/flock of cātaka birds
• cātakāliḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cātaka (प्रातिपदिक) + āli (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (cātakānām āliḥ = row/flock of cātaka birds); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• jalam: water
• jalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमानवाचक (comparative particle: as/like)

Context

The army which is under your command O King! is awaiting your orders like the chatakas awaiting water. Direct them (to proceed).

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• army (senā)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma: a king must lead decisively; those under his protection and command depend upon timely, righteous direction.

What is the narrative situation?

After the tension with Paraśurāma has ended, the party prepares to move; the king is urged to give marching orders to the waiting army.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Decisive leadership and responsibility—authority should be exercised clearly for the orderly movement and welfare of the realm’s forces.