Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 16

भरद्वाजाश्रमे भरतसैन्यस्य दिव्यात्मिथ्यम् / Divine Hospitality to Bharata’s Army at Bharadvaja’s Hermitage

Devanagari script

आह्वये देवगन्धर्वान्विश्वावसुहहाहुहून्।तथैवाप्सरसो देवीर्गन्धर्वीश्चापि सर्वशः।।।।

Transliteration

āhvaye deva-gandharvān viśvāvasu-hahā-huhūn | tathaivāpsaraso devīr gandharvīś cāpi sarvaśaḥ || 2.91.16 ||

Translation

ਮੈਂ ਦੇਵ-ਗੰਧਰਵਾਂ—ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਵਸੁ, ਹਾਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਹੁਹੂ—ਨੂੰ ਆਹਵਾਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ; ਅਤੇ ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹਰ ਦਿਸ਼ਾ ਤੋਂ ਅਪਸਰਾਵਾਂ, ਦੇਵੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਗੰਧਰਵੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਬੁਲਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ।

Word by Word

• आह्वये: I invoke
• आह्वये: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आह्वय् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देवगन्धर्वान्: divine Gandharvas
• देवगन्धर्वान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवगन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; समासः देवानां गन्धर्वाः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• विश्वावसुम्: Viśvāvasu
• विश्वावसुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वावसु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हहाहुहून्: Hahā and Huhū
• हहाहुहून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हहा + हुहू (प्रातिपदिक; नामद्वन्द्व)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन/बहुवचन-रूपेण (here plural accusative); द्वन्द्वः (two named Gandharvas)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyā-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय

• एव: also/indeed
• एव: Emphasis (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• अप्सरसः: Apsarases
• अप्सरसः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• देवीः: goddesses
• देवीः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• गन्धर्वीः: female Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वीः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samucchaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक

• अपि: also
• अपि: Emphasis (समुच्चय/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (also/even)

• सर्वशः: from everywhere
• सर्वशः: Kriyā-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘from all sides’)

Context

I invoke the gandharvas, Visvavasu, Ha Ha and Hu Hu, and also goddesses like gandharvas (heavenly musicians) and apsaras (nymphs) from all regions.

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Viśvāvasu
• Apsarases
• Bharadvaja

FAQs

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

Honoring guests includes creating a dignified, uplifting environment; dharma here is hospitality that elevates mind and spirit, not merely feeding the body.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharadvāja summons celestial musicians and nymphs to contribute to the welcome of Bharata and his company.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent delight in service—Bharadvāja makes hospitality complete through beauty, music, and order.