Valmiki Ramayana 1.22.6 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 6

बलातिबलोपदेशः

The Instruction of Bala and Atibala

Devanagari script

विश्वामित्रो ययावग्रे ततो रामो धनुर्धर:।काकपक्षधरो धन्वी तं च सौमित्रिरन्वगात्।।1.22.6।।

Transliteration

viśvāmitro yayāv agre tato rāmo dhanurdharaḥ |

kākapakṣadharo dhanvī taṁ ca saumitrir anvagāt || 1.22.6 ||

Translation

Viśvāmitra đi trước; sau đó Rāma, tay cầm cung, bước theo; và Lakṣmaṇa—con của Sumitrā, cung thủ với lọn tóc bên—cũng theo sát ngài.

Word by Word

• puṣpa-vṛṣṭiḥ: a shower of flowers
• puṣpa-vṛṣṭiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (पुष्प-प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣṭi (वृष्टि-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पुष्पाणां वृष्टिः)

• mahatī: great/abundant
• mahatī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (महत्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ

• āsīt: was/occurred
• āsīt: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (अस्-धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• deva-dundubhi-nisvanaiḥ: with the sounds of celestial drums
• deva-dundubhi-nisvanaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (देव-प्रातिपदिक) + dundubhi (दुन्दुभि-प्रातिपदिक) + nisvana (निस्वन-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (देवानां दुन्दुभीनां निस्वनैः)

• śaṅkha-dundubhi-nirghoṣaḥ: a loud sound of conches and drums
• śaṅkha-dundubhi-nirghoṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (शङ्ख-प्रातिपदिक) + dundubhi (दुन्दुभि-प्रातिपदिक) + nirghoṣa (निर्घोष-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शङ्खदुन्दुभ्योः निर्घोषः)

• prayāte: when (he) had departed
• prayāte: Kāla (काल; locative absolute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-yā (प्र+या-धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Past participle used as locative absolute; Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन), Masculine/Neuter; with mahātmani: ‘when the great one had departed’

• tu: indeed/and
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (तु-अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• mahātmani: in/when the great-souled one (Viśvāmitra)
• mahātmani: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; in locative absolute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahātman (महात्मन्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—कर्मधारयः (महान् आत्मा यस्य)

Context

Viswamitra walked in the forefront. Behind him was Rama, bow in hand, while in the archer, Sumitra's son (Lakshmana) with side locks of hair followed.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sumitrā

FAQs

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

Guru-sevā and disciplined conduct: the princes follow the sage in proper order, embodying obedience, humility, and readiness to protect dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The travel formation is described as Viśvāmitra leads and the two princes follow, armed and prepared.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s loyal companionship and Rāma’s dutiful preparedness—both aligned to the guru’s mission.