Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 14

शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः

The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow

Devanagari script

भूतलादुत्थिता सा तु व्यवर्धत ममात्मजा।वीर्यशुल्केति मे कन्या स्थापितेयमयोनिजा।।1.66.14।।

Transliteration

bhūtalād utthitā sā tu vyavardhata mamātmajā |

vīryaśulketi me kanyā sthāpiteyam ayोनिजā ||1.66.14||

Translation

ଭୂତଳରୁ ଉଠିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ମୋର ଆତ୍ମଜା ଭାବେ ବଢ଼ିଲା। ଏହି ଅୟୋନିଜ କନ୍ୟାକୁ ମୁଁ ‘ବୀର୍ୟଶୁଳ୍କ’ ଭାବେ ସ୍ଥାପିଲି—ପରାକ୍ରମ ପ୍ରମାଣ କରିଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ମାତ୍ର ତାକୁ ପାଉ।

Word by Word

• bhūtalāt: from the earth
• bhūtalāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūtala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Pañcamī, Ekavacana

• utthitā: arisen
• utthitā: Kriyā (क्रिया; participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√sthā (स्था धातु)
• Form: Kta, Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; pronoun

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: particle (emphasis/contrast/तु)

• vyavardhata: grew
• vyavardhata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ava-√vṛdh (वृध् धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (Imperfect/लङ्), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• ātmajā: (my) daughter
• ātmajā: Karta (कर्ता; apposition to sā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātma (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (कृदन्त, √jan धातु)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; समासः—आत्मनः जा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) 'one born of oneself'

• vīrya-śulke: with prowess as the bride-price
• vīrya-śulke: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/condition-locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + śulka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī, Ekavacana; समासः—वीर्यं शुल्कं यस्मिन् (determinative; 'with prowess as bride-price'); used as condition/setting

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-marker (उक्तिवाचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: quotative particle

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī/Dative Ekavacana; here instrumental sense not; best as genitive 'my' with kanyā

• kanyā: maiden/daughter
• kanyā: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• sthāpitā: was established/ordained
• sthāpitā: Kriyā (क्रिया; participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) (causative √sthāpaya)
• Form: Kta (past passive participle), Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; from causative stem sthāp- 'caused to be set/established'

• iyam: this (she)
• iyam: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• ayonijā: not womb-born
• ayonijā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + yoni (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (कृदन्त, √jan)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; समासः—अयोनिः यस्याः सा (nञ्-तत्पुरुष/negative determinative)

Context

O Eminent ascetic! arisen from the earth and reared as my daughter, she has been sought after in marriage by many princes.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Janaka
• bhūtala (earth)

FAQs

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

Parental and royal dharma: Janaka safeguards Sītā’s future by setting a principled standard—worthiness proven through capability and discipline, not mere status.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka describes Sītā’s upbringing and the formal condition he set for her marriage: only one with proven strength can win her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s prudence and protective responsibility—balancing affection with duty and standards.