Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 2

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

इक्षून्मधूं स्तथा लाजान्मैरेयांश्च वरासनान्।पानानि च महार्हाणि भक्ष्यांश्चोच्चावचां स्तथा।।1.53.2।।

Transliteration

ikṣūn madhūṁs tathā lājān maireyāṁś ca varāsanān | pānāni ca mahārhāṇi bhakṣyāṁś coccāvacāṁs tathā || 1.53.2 ||

Translation

Принесли сахарный тростник, мёд и поджаренное зерно; также напиток майрея в прекрасных сосудах, драгоценные питья и яства многих видов.

Word by Word

• ikṣūn: sugarcanes
• ikṣūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• madhūn: honeys/sweet drinks
• madhūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• tathā: and also
• tathā: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रम (and/also)

• lājān: parched grains
• lājān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• maireyān: maireya liquors
• maireyān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maireya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• vara-āsanān: excellent seats/containers
• vara-āsanān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; ‘excellent seats/containers’ (contextual)

• pānāni: drinks
• pānāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• mahārhāṇi: very precious/excellent
• mahārhāṇi: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + arhā (√arh, अर्ह्; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (qualifying pānāni)

• bhakṣyān: edibles
• bhakṣyān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakṣya (√bhakṣ, भक्ष्; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• uccāvacān: various (high and low)
• uccāvacān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uccāvacā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (various kinds)

• tathā: and also
• tathā: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रम

Context

Sugarcane, honey and fried grain, invigorating liquors in good containers, excellent drinks and varieties of food (were served).

Characters & Entities

• Honey (madhu)

FAQs

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

Atithi-dharma (righteous hospitality): guests are to be honored with appropriate nourishment and care, reflecting generosity governed by propriety.

What is the narrative situation?

The āśrama arranges abundant refreshments and foods for the visiting king Viśvāmitra and his entourage, showcasing Vasiṣṭha’s resources through Śabalā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s graciousness and adherence to dharma in welcoming guests.