Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 3

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं

Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu

Devanagari script

उपविष्टाय च तदा विश्वामित्राय धीमते।यथान्यायं मुनिवर: फलमूलमुपाहरत्।।।।

Transliteration

upaviṣṭāya ca tadā viśvāmitrāya dhīmate |

yathānyāyaṃ munivaraḥ phalamūlam upāharat ||

Translation

Tatkala Viśvāmitra yang bijaksana telah duduk, muni yang mulia (Vasiṣṭha) menurut adat yang patut mempersembahkan buah-buahan dan umbi-umbian.

Word by Word

• उपविष्टाय: to (him) seated
• उपविष्टाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + विश् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle) ‘उपविष्ट’ इत्यस्य चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; पुल्लिङ्ग; ‘to the one who had sat’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• विश्वामित्राय: to Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्राय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• धीमते: to the wise
• धीमते: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् विश्वामित्राय

• यथान्यायम्: as is proper
• यथान्यायम्: Rīti-adhikaraṇa (रीति-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + न्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययत्वेन प्रयोगः (adverbial: according to rule/custom)

• मुनिवरः: the best sage
• मुनिवरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: मुनिनां वरः

• फलमूलम्: fruits and roots
• फलमूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (fruits and roots)

• उपाहरत्: offered / brought
• उपाहरत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + आ + हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; उपसर्ग: उप-आ-

Context

Vasishta who was highly brilliant the greatest among those who meditate (on Brahman) and free from sins was pleased. Thereafter he called the speckled cow (Kamadhenu):

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Dharma as right conduct in context: an āśrama’s simple, honest hospitality—offering what is available (fruits and roots) with due respect.

What is the narrative situation?

After welcoming and seating Viśvāmitra, Vasiṣṭha provides customary refreshments suitable to a hermitage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s simplicity and sincerity—honoring a guest without pretense, aligned with ascetic norms.