Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.2 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 2

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वमर्थं प्रतिश्रुत्य प्रतिज्ञां हातुमिच्छसि।राघवाणामयुक्तोऽयं कुलस्यास्य विपर्यय:।।1.21.2।।

Transliteration

pūrvam arthaṃ pratiśrutya pratijñāṃ hātum icchasi |

rāghavāṇām ayukto 'yaṃ kulasyāsya viparyayaḥ ||

Translation

Пообещав прежде это дело, ты ныне желаешь отречься от данного обета. Такой разрыв недостоин Рагхавов и станет тяжким переворотом для этого царского рода.

Word by Word

• pūrvam: formerly / earlier
• pūrvam: Kala/Desha (काल/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• artham: the matter / request
• artham: Karma (कर्म/object of pratiśrutya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• pratiśrutya: having promised
• pratiśrutya: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), indeclinable verbal form

• pratijñām: the promise
• pratijñām: Karma (कर्म/object of hātum)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratijñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• hātum: to abandon / to break
• hātum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose of icchasi)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √hā (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्)

• icchasi: you wish
• icchasi: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु; इच्छ्-आदेश)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

• rāghavāṇām: of the Rāghavas
• rāghavāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/of)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ayuktaḥ: improper / unfitting
• ayuktaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण/predicate qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-yukta (प्रातिपदिक; √yuj क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त) used adjectivally; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective to ayaṃ (viparyayaḥ)

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karta (कर्ता; subject of implied 'asti')
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• kulasya: of the dynasty
• kulasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/of)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• asya: of this
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/of this)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; refers to 'kula' or context

• viparyayaḥ: reversal / breach / impropriety
• viparyayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; subject/predicate-noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viparyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Context

Viswamitra is well conversant with these weapons. Being virtuous, he is capable of creating new weapons also.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Daśaratha
• Rāghava
• Raghu dynasty

FAQs

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

Satya and pratijñā-pālana (keeping one’s promise). For a king, truthfulness is not private morality alone; it safeguards the credibility and dharma of the entire dynasty.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra confronts Daśaratha for hesitating to send Rāma after having agreed, warning that breaking the promise would stain the Rāghava lineage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Royal integrity (rāja-satya): steadfastness in vows and consistency between word and deed, especially expected of an Ikṣvāku ruler.