Valmiki Ramayana 1.8.13 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 13

अष्टमः सर्गः

Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny

Devanagari script

तत: प्रीतोऽभवद्राजा श्रुत्वा तद्विजभाषितम्।अमात्यांश्चाब्रवीद्राजा हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षण:।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prīto 'bhavad rājā śrutvā tad dvijabhāṣitam |

amātyāṁś cābravīd rājā harṣaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ ||

Translation

Maka raja pun berasa gembira setelah mendengar kata-kata para brahmana; lalu baginda bertitah kepada para menteri, dengan mata yang bergetar kerana sukacita.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'then')

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्री (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): 'having heard'

• तत्: that
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• द्विजभाषितम्: what was spoken by the brāhmaṇas
• द्विजभाषितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + भाषित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: द्विजैः भाषितम् = 'spoken by brāhmaṇas'

• अमात्यान्: ministers
• अमात्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमात्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

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

• अब्रवीत्: said/told
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षणः: whose eyes were agitated with joy
• हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षणः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हर्ष + पर्याकुल + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहि: हर्षेण पर्याकुले ईक्षणे यस्य सः

Context

"Let the articles required (for performing the sacrifice) be procured in accordance with the words of my spiritual preceptors and the horse be released under the protection of able men.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Brahmins (Dvijas)
• Ministers (Amātyas)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as receptivity to righteous counsel: a ruler honors learned guidance and then responsibly communicates with his administration.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing the brahmins’ advice/assurance about the sacrifice, Daśaratha becomes delighted and turns to instruct his ministers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility before wisdom and administrative readiness—he values the brahmins’ words and promptly acts through his ministers.