Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.12 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 12

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore

Devanagari script

न देवा नर्षय: केचिन्नासुरा न च राक्षसा:।गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवरास्सकिन्नरमहोरगा:।।।।

Transliteration

na devā na ṛṣayaḥ kecin nāsurā na ca rākṣasāḥ | gandharva-yakṣa-pravarāḥ sa-kinnara-mahāragāḥ ||

Translation

ନ ଦେବ, ନ କେହି ଋଷି, ନ ଅସୁର, ନ ରାକ୍ଷସ; ନ ଗନ୍ଧର୍ବ, ନ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଯକ୍ଷ, ନ କିନ୍ନର, ନ ମହୋରଗ—ସେହି ଜ୍ଞାନକୁ ସମକକ୍ଷ ହୋଇପାରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ।

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• देवाः: gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• न: nor
• न: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• केचित्: any (at all)
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क-चित् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; अनिश्चितवाचक (any)

• न: nor
• न: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• असुराः: asuras
• असुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• न: nor
• न: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• राक्षसाः: rākṣasas
• राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवराः: the best of gandharvas and yakṣas
• गन्धर्वयक्षप्रवराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व-यक्ष-प्रवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समाहार/समुच्चयार्थे (best among gandharvas and yakṣas)

• स: together with
• स: Sambandha (सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (along with)

• किन्नरमहोरगाः: kinnaras and great serpents
• किन्नरमहोरगाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किन्नर-महोरग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (किन्नर + महोरग)

Context

No gods nor sages nor asuras in rakshasas nor kinnaras nor mighty serpents norgandharvas nor the best of yakshas (will be able to know);

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Rishis
• Asuras
• Rakshasas
• Gandharvas
• Yakshas
• Kinnaras
• Mahoragas (great serpents)

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes true excellence regardless of rank: even celestial beings are not automatically superior to a sage perfected by tapas and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

A sweeping list of cosmic beings is invoked to stress that Viśvāmitra’s expertise is unrivaled.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Spiritual attainment—steadfast austerity and truth that elevate a human sage beyond ordinary hierarchies.