Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 51, Shloka 10

शतानन्दोपदेशः

Śatānanda’s Welcome to Rāma and the Prelude to Viśvāmitra’s History

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।प्रत्युवाच शतानन्दं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम्।।।।

Transliteration

tac chrutvā vacanaṁ tasya viśvāmitro mahā-muniḥ | pratyuvāca śatānandaṁ vākyajño vākyakovidam ||

Translation

ତାଙ୍କ ବଚନ ଶୁଣି, ବାକ୍ନିପୁଣ ମହାମୁନି ବିଶ୍ୱାମିତ୍ର ବାକ୍ୟକୋବିଦ ଶତାନନ୍ଦଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟୁତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ।

Word by Word

• tat: that (it)
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having done)

• vacanam: speech/words
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• tasya: of him/of that person
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• viśvāmitraḥ: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• mahāmuniḥ: the great sage
• mahāmuniḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-muni (प्रातिपदिक; महा + मुनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण-समास (great sage)

• pratyuvāca: replied
• pratyuvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: प्रति + उद्

• śatānandam: to Śatānanda
• śatānandam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatānanda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (सम्बोधनार्थे कर्मरूपेण)

• vākyajñaḥ: knowing speech/eloquent
• vākyajñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vākya-jña (प्रातिपदिक; वाक्य + ज्ञ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वाक्येषु ज्ञः)

• vākyakovidam: skilled in speech
• vākyakovidam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vākya-kovida (प्रातिपदिक; वाक्य + कोविद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Śatānandaṃ विशेषयति)

Context

Great sage Viswamitra equipped with the knowledge of words heard Satananda who was proficient in speech. And replied:

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Śatānanda

FAQs

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

Dharma is conveyed through disciplined speech: the wise respond with appropriate, truthful, and measured words, especially in sacred company.

What is the narrative situation?

After Śatānanda’s reaction, the narration pivots to Viśvāmitra’s verbal response, marking the start of a brief exchange.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vāk-saṁyama and vāk-kauśala (restraint and skill in speech) in both sages—speech used to clarify dharma and events rather than to display ego.