Valmiki Ramayana 1.18.4 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 4

पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival

Bālakāṇḍa 18

Devanagari script

श्रीमतां गच्छतां तेषां स्वपुराणि पुरात्तत:।बलानि राज्ञां शुभ्राणि प्रहृष्टानि चकाशिरे।।।।

Transliteration

śrīmatāṃ gacchatāṃ teṣāṃ svapurāṇi purāt tataḥ | balāni rājñāṃ śubhrāṇi prahṛṣṭāni cakāśire ||

Translation

அந்தப் பெருமைமிக்க அரசர்கள் அந்த நகரத்திலிருந்து தத்தம் தலைநகரங்களுக்குப் புறப்பட்டபோது, அவர்களுடைய வெண்மையான படைகள் மகிழ்ச்சியால் உளம்கொண்டு ஒளிவீசின.

Word by Word

• श्रीमताम्: of the illustrious
• श्रीमताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धे (of the illustrious)

• गच्छताम्: of those who were departing
• गच्छताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; 'of those going'

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• स्वपुराणि: their own cities
• स्वपुराणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (स्वानि पुराणि)

• पुरात्: from the city
• पुरात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन

• ततः: thereupon / from there
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb): 'from there/then'

• बलानि: armies/forces
• बलानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• राज्ञाम्: of the kings
• राज्ञाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• शुभ्राणि: bright / splendid
• शुभ्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (of बलानि)

• प्रहृष्टानि: delighted
• प्रहृष्टानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-हृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √हृष्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• चकाशिरे: shone
• चकाशिरे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √काश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद; धातु: √काश् (to shine)

Context

On hearing those words (of Viswamitra) all of them prompted by fear because of left for the royal apartment with excited minds and hurried steps.

Characters & Entities

• Kings (rājānaḥ, plural—unspecified)

FAQs

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

The verse reflects dharma as orderly governance and disciplined movement of royal forces—public order and legitimate authority expressed through regulated departure.

What is the narrative situation?

A descriptive scene of kings departing the city with their armies, emphasizing splendor and collective morale.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective discipline and confidence of a righteous polity—armies are portrayed as bright and jubilant rather than chaotic.