Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.10: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 10

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon

Lore

Addressed to King DaśarathaSetting: Ayodhyā (royal court context continues)

Devanagari script

एष विग्रहवान् धर्म एष वीर्यवतां वरः ।

एष बुध्याऽधिको लोके तपसश्च परायणम् ॥१०॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.21.10

Transliteration

eṣa vigrahavān dharma eṣa vīryavatāṃ varaḥ |

eṣa buddhyā ’dhiko loke tapasaś ca parāyaṇam ||10||

Translation

एष विग्रहवान् धर्मः एष वीर्यवतां वरः। एष बुद्ध्याधिकः लोके तपसश्च परायणम्॥

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Word by Word

• एषः: this one (he)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• विग्रहवान्: embodied
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विग्रह-वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (embodied)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• धर्मः: Dharma/righteousness
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• एषः: this one
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• वीर्यवताम्: of the valiant
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्य-वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; 'of the powerful'
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)

• वरः: the best
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• एषः: this one
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• बुध्या: by intellect
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण/हेतुवाचक (in/with intellect)
• Role: Karana (करण)

• अधिकः: superior
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (superior)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• लोके: in the world
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)

• तपसः: of austerity
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; 'of austerity'
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)
• Role: Sambandha (समुच्चय)

• परायणम्: supreme refuge
• Type: Noun
• Root: परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (supreme resort)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

Sandhi Notes

• बुध्याऽधिकः = बुध्या + अधिकः
• तपसश्च = तपसः + च

Context

This (Viswamitra) is an embodiment of righteousness and unsurpassed among the powerful. None can excel him in intellect in this world. He is the supreme refuge inausterity.

The teaching

True supremacy is measured by dharma, intellect, and tapas, not merely by worldly power.

Ethical theme

Sadācāra / ātma-uttama-guṇa

Devotion and practice

Contemplation on dharma as embodied conduct; tapas and buddhi as supports for disciplined practice.

Form of praise

Stuti (a hymn of praise)

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Adbhuta (wonder)

Mood

Majestic, authoritative, exalting

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Rishi-tejas
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Daśaratha
• Dharma
• Tapas

FAQs

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

True authority is grounded in dharma and tapas: spiritual integrity and disciplined austerity create moral power that even kings should respect.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha is being reminded of Viśvāmitra’s extraordinary stature so that the king will not resist the sage’s request regarding Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s righteous strength—wisdom, self-control, and ascetic accomplishment as the basis of leadership.