Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 70, Shloka 22

भरतस्य दूतसमागमः तथा केकयराजनः अनुज्ञा

Bharata Meets the Messengers; Kekaya King Grants Leave

Devanagari script

ऐरावतानैन्द्रशिरान्नागान्वै प्रियदर्शनान्।खरान् श्रीघ्रान्सुसंयुक्तान्मातुलोऽस्मै धनं ददौ।।2.70.22।।

Transliteration

airāvatān aindraśirān nāgān vai priyadarśanān | kharān śīghrān susaṃyuktān mātulo'smai dhanaṃ dadau ||2.70.22||

Translation

Ang kaniyang tiyuhin sa ina ay nagkaloob din sa kaniya ng yaman—mga kaaya-ayang elepanteng magaganda mula sa Airāvata at Aindraśira, at mga asnong matutulin, sanay at madaling ipanghila.

Word by Word

• ऐरावतान्: of the Airāvata breed
• ऐरावतान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: airāvata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (Airāvata-breed/Irāvata-born)

• ऐन्द्रशिरान्: of the Indraśira breed
• ऐन्द्रशिरान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aindraśira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (from Indraśira)

• नागान्: elephants
• नागान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निपात (emphatic particle)

• प्रियदर्शनान्: pleasing to behold
• प्रियदर्शनान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya-darśana (प्रातिपदिक; प्रिय + दर्शन)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (प्रियं दर्शनं येषाम्/प्रियदर्शनाः)

• खरान्: asses
• खरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• शीघ्रान्: swift
• शीघ्रान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śīghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सुसंयुक्तान्: well-trained/well-yoked
• सुसंयुक्तान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-saṃyukta (कृदन्त; सु + सम् + √yuj युज्, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; अव्ययीभाव-पूर्वपद (सु-)

• मातुलः: maternal uncle
• मातुलः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• अस्मै: to him
• अस्मै: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धाातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

His maternal uncle gave him the wealth of good-looking elephants born in Iravata and Indrasira mountains and swift-moving and well-trained asses which can be yoked easily. He gave riches too.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Airāvata (region/mountain)
• elephants

FAQs

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

Support of duty through practical means: dharma is not only intention but enabling action—providing suitable transport and resources for a righteous journey.

What is the narrative situation?

As part of the farewell gifts, Bharata receives animals and wealth to facilitate travel and royal movement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Thoughtful generosity—gifts are not merely lavish but useful and properly trained for purpose.