Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 3

कामाश्रम

प्रवेशः / Entry into Kāma’s Hermitage at the Sarayū–Gaṅgā Confluence

Devanagari script

तस्यर्षे: परमोदारं वचश्श्रुत्वा नृपात्मजौ ।स्नात्वा कृतोदकौ वीरौ जेपतु: परमं जपम्।।।।

Transliteration

tasyarṣeḥ paramodāraṃ vacaḥ śrutvā nṛpātmajau |

snātvā kṛtodakau vīrau jepatuḥ paramaṃ japam ||

Translation

Nghe lời nói chí hậu của vị hiền giả ấy, hai hoàng tử liền tắm gội, làm lễ dâng nước (udaka), rồi trì tụng tối thượng thần chú—pháp japa thù thắng.

Word by Word

• kṛta-āhnikau: having completed the daily rites
• kṛta-āhnikau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) → kṛta (कृदन्त, क्त) + āhnika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'kṛtam āhnikam yābhyām' = having performed daily rites

• mahā-vīryau: of great prowess
• mahā-vīryau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; कर्मधारयः (mahad vīryam yayor) used adjectivally

• viśvāmitram: Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitram: Karma (कर्म / Object of salutation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Dvitīyā-vibhakti (Accusative), Ekavacana

• tapo-dhanam: the one whose wealth is austerity
• tapo-dhanam: Karma (कर्म / Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Dvitīyā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहिः: 'tapo dhanaṃ yasya saḥ' = one whose wealth is austerity; apposition to viśvāmitram

• abhivādya: having saluted
• abhivādya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√vad (धातु) → abhivādya (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष)
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund/ल्यप्); 'having saluted'

• abhisaṃhṛṣṭau: highly delighted
• abhisaṃhṛṣṭau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-saṃ-√hṛṣ (धातु) → abhisaṃhṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga; Prathamā-vibhakti, Dvivacana; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; 'highly delighted/energized'

• gamanāya: for going / for the journey
• gamanāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदानम् / Purpose-dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṃsaka; Caturthī-vibhakti (Dative/सम्प्रदान), Ekavacana; प्रयोजन-द्योतक (purpose)

• abhitasthatuḥ: stood ready (before him)
• abhitasthatuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect); Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Dvivacana; Parasmaipada; 'stood near/stood ready'

Context

The ascetics who resided there, faithful to their vows, took them in. There they staed happily in Kama's hermitage.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra (implied: 'that sage')
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as disciplined conduct: honoring a teacher’s guidance and performing daily purificatory duties (bath, water-offering, japa) with sincerity.

What is the narrative situation?

After receiving Viśvāmitra’s gracious instruction, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa complete their morning religious observances before proceeding.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverent self-discipline—prompt obedience, purity of conduct, and steadiness in sacred practice.