Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.13: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 13

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

Lore

Spoken by Vasistha to King Daśaratha

Devanagari script

सर्वास्त्राणि भृशाश्वस्य पुत्राः परमधार्मिकाः ।

कौशिकाय पुरा दत्ता यदा राज्यं प्रशासति ॥१३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.21.13

Transliteration

sarvāstrāṇi bhṛśāśvasya putrāḥ parama-dhārmikāḥ |

kauśikāya purā dattā yadā rājyaṃ praśāsati ||13||

Translation

सर्वास्त्राणि भृशाश्वस्य पुत्राः परमधार्मिकाः। कौशिकाय पुरा दत्ताः यदा राज्यं प्रशासति॥

Ask anything about this verse...Ask

Word by Word

• सर्वास्त्राणि: all weapons
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'all weapons'
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• भृशाश्वस्य: of Bhṛśāśva
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृशाश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)

• पुत्राः: sons
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'sons' (apposition to weapons as personified)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• परमधार्मिकाः: supremely righteous
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम-धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (supremely righteous)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• कौशिकाय: to Kauśika (Viśvāmitra)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन
• Role: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)

• पुरा: formerly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (formerly)
• Role: Kāla (काल)

• दत्ताः: were given
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'given'
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• यदा: when
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक/यदा-तदा सम्बन्ध (when)
• Role: Kāla (काल)

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• प्रशासति: rules/governs
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+शास् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• सर्वास्त्राणि = सर्व + अस्त्राणि
• यदा राज्यं = यदा + राज्यम्

Context

All these weapons were given to Viswamitra by Bhrisasva's highly virtuous sons whilehe was ruling the kingdom.

The teaching

Power becomes legitimate when received through dharmic transmission and used under righteous governance; vidyā is conferred, not seized.

Ethical theme

Guru-dakṣiṇā / adhikāra / rājadharma

For your practice

Encourages respect for lineage, initiation, and ethical use of skills; reminds practitioners to seek proper guidance before wielding potent methods.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Ancestral, legitimizing, reverent

Themes

• Dharma
• Satya
• Lineage
• Itihasa
• Ethics

Symbolism

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (Kauśika)
• Bhṛśāśva
• Astra (weapons)

FAQs

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

Transmission of power must follow righteousness: weapons (force) are legitimately entrusted to one whose life is aligned with dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The text explains the provenance of Viśvāmitra’s arsenal—how he received all astras from a renowned righteous lineage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s worthiness and recognized integrity, proven by others entrusting him with great power.