Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 3

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं

Vasiṣṭha’s Hospitality to Viśvāmitra and the Summoning of Śabalā/Kāmadhenu

Devanagari script

उपविष्टाय च तदा विश्वामित्राय धीमते।यथान्यायं मुनिवर: फलमूलमुपाहरत्।।।।

Transliteration

upaviṣṭāya ca tadā viśvāmitrāya dhīmate |

yathānyāyaṃ munivaraḥ phalamūlam upāharat ||

Translation

Nang makaupo na noon ang marunong na si Viśvāmitra, ang dakilang muni (Vasiṣṭha) ay ayon sa kaugalian na naghandog ng mga prutas at mga ugat, gaya ng nararapat.

Word by Word

• उपविष्टाय: to (him) seated
• उपविष्टाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + विश् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle) ‘उपविष्ट’ इत्यस्य चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; पुल्लिङ्ग; ‘to the one who had sat’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• विश्वामित्राय: to Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्राय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• धीमते: to the wise
• धीमते: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् विश्वामित्राय

• यथान्यायम्: as is proper
• यथान्यायम्: Rīti-adhikaraṇa (रीति-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + न्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययत्वेन प्रयोगः (adverbial: according to rule/custom)

• मुनिवरः: the best sage
• मुनिवरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: मुनिनां वरः

• फलमूलम्: fruits and roots
• फलमूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (fruits and roots)

• उपाहरत्: offered / brought
• उपाहरत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + आ + हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; उपसर्ग: उप-आ-

Context

Vasishta who was highly brilliant the greatest among those who meditate (on Brahman) and free from sins was pleased. Thereafter he called the speckled cow (Kamadhenu):

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Dharma as right conduct in context: an āśrama’s simple, honest hospitality—offering what is available (fruits and roots) with due respect.

What is the narrative situation?

After welcoming and seating Viśvāmitra, Vasiṣṭha provides customary refreshments suitable to a hermitage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s simplicity and sincerity—honoring a guest without pretense, aligned with ascetic norms.