Shloka 25

शरणागति

धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana

Devanagari script

ऋषेःकण्वस्यपुत्रेणकण्डुनापरमर्षिणा ।शृणुगाथांपुरागीतांधर्मिष्ठासत्यवादिना ।।।।

Transliteration

ṛṣeḥ kaṇvasya putreṇa kaṇḍunā paramarṣiṇā | śṛṇu gāthāṃ purā gītāṃ dharmiṣṭhā satyavādinā || 6.18.25 ||

Translation

ഋഷി കണ്വന്റെ പുത്രനായ പരമർഷി കണ്ഡു—ധർമ്മനിഷ്ഠനും സത്യവാദിയും—പുരാതനകാലത്ത് പാടിയ ഒരു പഴയ ഗാഥ കേൾക്കുക.

Word by Word

• ऋषेः: of the sage
• ऋषेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कण्वस्य: of Kaṇva
• कण्वस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• पुत्रेण: by the son
• पुत्रेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कण्डुना: by Kandu
• कण्डुना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्डु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• परमर्षिणा: by the great sage
• परमर्षिणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम-ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: परमः ऋषिः (a great sage)

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• गाथाम्: a tale/verse
• गाथाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गाथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुरा: formerly
• पुरा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (formerly/in the past)

• गीताम्: sung
• गीताम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गै (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गाथाम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्: "sung"

• धर्मिष्ठाम्: most righteous
• धर्मिष्ठाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गाथाम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्: "most righteous"

• सत्यवादिना: by the truthful one
• सत्यवादिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य-वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: सत्यं वदति (truth-speaker)

Context

"In the past Kanva's son called Kandu, a sage and a truthful one used to sing verses inculcating righteousness. (I shall recite) You may listen."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• Kaṇḍu (sage)

FAQs

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

Dharma is supported by the testimony of the truthful sages; Rāma grounds his stance in established moral teaching (ṛṣi-gāthā).

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma prepares to quote an authoritative ethical maxim to guide conduct toward one who seeks refuge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for tradition and truth—Rāma appeals to reliable moral authority rather than mere opinion.