Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 1

विश्वामित्रस्य यज्ञरक्षा-याचना

Visvamitra Requests Rama for Yajna-Protection

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा राजसिंहस्य वाक्यमद्भुतविस्तरम्।हृष्टरोमा महातेजा विश्वामित्रोऽभ्यभाषत।।।।

Transliteration

tac chrutvā rāja-siṃhasya vākyam adbhuta-vistaram |

hṛṣṭa-romā mahā-tejā viśvāmitro ’bhyabhāṣata ||

Translation

Nghe lời của vị vua như sư tử—kỳ diệu và tường tận—đại hiền giả Viśvāmitra, oai lực rực rỡ, lông tóc dựng lên vì hoan hỷ, liền cất lời đáp lại.

Word by Word

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नियमम्: vow/discipline
• नियमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आतिष्ठे: I undertake/observe
• आतिष्ठे: Kriyā (क्रिया/finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सिध्यर्थम्: for success/accomplishment
• सिध्यर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (determinative: ‘for the sake of success’), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial purpose)

• पुरुषर्षभ: O best of men
• पुरुषर्षभ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक) + ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (descriptive: ‘bull among men’), पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• तस्य: of that (rite)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• विघ्नकरौ: obstacle-causing
• विघ्नकरौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विघ्न (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: ‘makers of obstacles’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन (Dual); ‘राक्षसौ’ विशेषण

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक (numeral), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; ‘राक्षसौ’ विशेषण

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (particle)

• राक्षसौ: two rākṣasas
• राक्षसौ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन (Dual)

• कामरूपिणौ: shape-shifting at will
• कामरूपिणौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: ‘having forms at will’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; ‘राक्षसौ’ विशेषण

Context

Six seasons (one year) passed after the completion of the sacrifice. In the twelfth month of Chaitra on the ninth day (of the bright fortnight), with Aditi as presiding deity when the star Punarvasu was in the ascendent and the five planets Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus, were exalted in their own house in karkata lagna, when Brihaspati was in conjunction with the Moon, Kausalya gave birth to a son: a facet of Visnu, Lord of the entire universe who received obeisance from all the worlds and was adorned with all auspicious signs, the venerable one to perpetuate the Ikshvaku race.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Dharma here is the harmony between righteous kingship and spiritual authority: the king’s proper words and intent elicit the sage’s approving response, showing mutual respect between rājadharma and ṛṣidharma.

What is the narrative situation?

After Daśaratha speaks at length, Viśvāmitra—pleased—begins his reply.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent responsiveness and discernment: Viśvāmitra recognizes the king’s stance and responds with controlled power and goodwill.