Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 24

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः

Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

विन्यस्ता विधिवत्सर्वे शिल्पिभिस्सुकृता दृढा:।अष्टाश्रयस्सर्व एव श्लक्ष्णरूपसमन्विता:।।।।

Transliteration

vinyastā vidhivat sarve śilpibhiḥ sukṛtā dṛḍhāḥ | aṣṭāśrayāḥ sarva eva ślakṣṇa-rūpa-samanvitāḥ ||

Translation

Все эти столбы были установлены по предписанию обряда: искусно сделанные умелыми мастерами, крепкие, восьмигранные, с гладкой и изящной отделкой.

Word by Word

• ācchāditāḥ: covered
• ācchāditāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā + chad (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past Passive Participle (क्त), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• te: those
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• vāsobhiḥ: with cloths
• vāsobhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• puṣpaiḥ: with flowers
• puṣpaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• gandhaiḥ: with fragrances (perfumes/pastes)
• gandhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• bhūṣitāḥ: adorned
• bhūṣitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūṣ (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past Passive Participle (क्त), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• sapta-ṛṣayaḥ: the seven sages
• sapta-ṛṣayaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘the seven sages’

• dīptimantaḥ: radiant
• dīptimantaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīptimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; qualifying saptaṛṣayaḥ

• virājante: shine
• virājante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + rāj (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), Prathama-puruṣa, Bahuvacana

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, upamā-marker (उपमा)

• divi: in heaven/in the sky
• divi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: div (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Saptamī, Ekavacana

Context

All those posts, strong with eight sides and finely finished surfaces, well-carved by sculptors were duly erected.

Characters & Entities

• yūpa (sacrificial posts)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as fidelity to prescribed standards (vidhi) and truthful workmanship—ritual objects must be made correctly, not merely ceremonially displayed.

What is the narrative situation?

The sacrificial posts for the rite are being installed; the text emphasizes their correct construction and placement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective competence and sincerity—priests and artisans uphold the rite through skill and exactness.