Valmiki Ramayana 1.13.12: Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 12

हयमेध

यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations

Devanagari script

तथा जानपदस्यापि जनस्य बहुशोभनम्।दातव्यमन्नं विधिवत्सत्कृत्य न तु लीलया।।1.13.12।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 1.13.12

Transliteration

tathā jānapadasyāpi janasya bahuśobhanam | dātavyam annaṃ vidhivat satkṛtya na tu līlayā || 1.13.12 ||

Translation

तथा जानपदानां जनानां बहुशोभनं अन्नं विधिवत् दातव्यम्—सत्कृत्य सादरं, न तु लीलया प्रमादतः।

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Word by Word

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; adjective qualifying ‘वर्णाः’

• वर्णाः: social classes; varṇas
• वर्णाः: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; subject of ‘प्राप्नुवन्ति’

• यथा: so that; in such a way
• यथा: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (प्रकार/‘so that’): ‘in such a way that’

• पूजाम्: honor; worship
• पूजाम्: Karma (कर्म; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; object of ‘प्राप्नुवन्ति’

• प्राप्नुवन्ति: obtain; receive
• प्राप्नुवन्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु) ‘to obtain’
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• सु-सत्कृताः: well-treated
• सु-सत्कृताः: Karta (कर्ता; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय) + सत्कृत (कृदन्त; सम्+कृ)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘well-honored/well-treated’ (qualifying ‘वर्णाः’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय: ‘and’

• अवज्ञा: disrespect; insult
• अवज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता; subject in gerundive construction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; subject of gerundive ‘प्रयोक्तव्या’

• प्रयोक्तव्या: should be used (meted out)
• प्रयोक्तव्या: Kriyā (क्रिया; obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + युज् (धातु) → प्रयोक्तव्य (कृदन्त/gerundive)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘should be employed/meted out’ (here with negation: ‘should not be used’)

• काम-क्रोध-वशात्: from desire-and-anger’s sway
• काम-क्रोध-वशात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान; cause/source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वश (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कामक्रोधयोः वशः) ‘from being under the sway of desire and anger’

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (अपि = ‘even’)

Context

In the same way people coming from rural areas also should be duly, not casualy treated with respect.

Characters & Entities

• jānapada (rural people)

FAQs

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

Hospitality as dharma: even ordinary visitors—especially rural folk—must be fed properly and respectfully, not treated as an afterthought.

What is the narrative situation?

During preparations for Daśaratha’s great sacrifice, Vasiṣṭha lays down standards for receiving and feeding all who arrive.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maryādā (propriety) expressed through satkāra—careful, dignified service rather than negligent charity.