Valmiki Ramayana 1.39.6: Bala Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 6

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् · The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Narrated by Viśvāmitra to RamaCommissioning of pursuit/guarding of the aśvamedha horse

Devanagari script

तस्याश्वचर्यां काकुत्स्थ दृढधन्वा महारथः ।

अंशुमानकरोत्तात सगरस्य मते स्थितः ॥६॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.39.6

Transliteration

tasyāśvacaryāṁ kākutstha dṛḍhadhanvā mahārathaḥ |

aṁśumān akarot tāta sagarasya mate sthitaḥ ||6||

Translation

హే కాకుత్స్థ తాత! దృఢధనుస్సు గల మహారథి అంసుమాన్ సగరుని ఆజ్ఞలో నిలిచి ఆ యజ్ఞాశ్వాన్ని కాపాడుతూ అనుసరించెను।

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Word by Word

• तस्य: of that (sacrifice)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; षष्ठी, एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)

• अश्व-चर्याम्: the horse-guarding/following
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśva (प्रातिपदिक) + caryā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (aśvasya caryā = following/guarding the horse)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Tatpurusha

• काकुत्स्थ: O Kakutstha
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākutstha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन, एकवचन
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)

• दृढ-धन्वा: strong-bowed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛḍha (प्रातिपदिक) + dhanvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (dṛḍhaṃ dhanur yasya saḥ)
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• महा-रथः: great charioteer
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (mahān rathaḥ/mahārathaḥ = great charioteer)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

• अंशुमान्: Aṃśumān
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṃśumant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• अकरोत्: did, carried out
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

• तात: O dear (child)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन, एकवचन; स्नेहसम्बोधन
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)

• सगरस्य: of Sagara
• Type: Noun
• Root: sagara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी, एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)

• मते: in accordance with the wish
• Type: Noun
• Root: mata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘मत’ = opinion/wish
• Role: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)

• स्थितः: abiding, standing
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (धातु) → sthita (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृवाच्ये ‘abiding/standing’
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

Sandhi Notes

• तस्य + अश्वचर्याम् → तस्याश्वचर्याम् (अ + अ → आ)
• अंशुमान् + अकरोत् → अंशुमानकरोत् (न् + अ → न)
• अकरोत् + तात → अकरोत्तात (त् + त → त्त)

Context

"O child, O son of the Kakutsthas, the great charioteer Anshuman (who can fight with eleven thousand charioteers), wielding a strong bow followed the sacrificial horse (in order to protect it) in compliance with Sagara's wish.

The teaching

Steadfast execution of entrusted duty—especially in service of yajña and royal command—constitutes kṣatriya excellence.

Ethical theme

Rāja-dharma / kartavya-niṣṭhā

For your practice

Model for niyama and dhṛti: guarding one’s ‘vow’ (saṅkalpa) with steadiness, as Aṁśumān guards the yajña-horse.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Resolute, disciplined, vigilant

Themes

• Dharma
• Obedience
• Royal duty
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Aṁśumān
• Sagara
• Sacrificial horse (aśva)

FAQs

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

Dharma as duty and loyalty: Aṁśumān fulfills the king’s directive to protect the yajña, placing responsibility above personal ease.

What is the narrative situation?

Sagara assigns Aṁśumān to accompany and safeguard the sacrificial horse as part of the ritual’s successful completion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast obedience and readiness (vīrya): Aṁśumān acts promptly and remains aligned with Sagara’s intent.