Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 31, Shloka 24

सिद्धाश्रमात् शोणातटं प्रस्थानम् — Departure from Siddhāśrama and the Invitation to Janaka’s Yajña

Bow of Mithilā

Devanagari script

चोदितो रामवाक्येन कथयामास सुव्रत:।तस्य देशस्य निखिलमृषिमध्ये महातपा:।।1.31.24।।

Transliteration

codito rāma-vākyena kathayāmāsa suvrataḥ | tasya deśasya nikhilam ṛṣi-madhye mahā-tapāḥ || 1.31.24 ||

Translation

Được lời của Rāma thỉnh cầu, vị đại khổ hạnh ấy—giữ giới nguyện kiên cố—ở giữa hội các hiền sĩ, đã thuật lại trọn vẹn mọi điều về miền đất ấy.

Word by Word

• चोदितः: urged
• चोदितः: Visheshana (विशेषण) of महातपाः/सुव्रतः
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √चुद् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त PPP: ‘urged’

• रामवाक्येन: by Rama's words
• रामवाक्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3/Instrumental), एकवचन; रामस्य वाक्येन = by Rama's words

• कथयामास: narrated
• कथयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कथ् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; periphrastic perfect sense ‘told/related’

• सुव्रतः: the man of excellent vows
• सुव्रतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुव्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/Nominative), एकवचन; su+vrata = one of good vows

• तस्य: of that
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6/Genitive), एकवचन

• देशस्य: of the region
• देशस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6/Genitive), एकवचन

• निखिलम्: entire
• निखिलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/Accusative), एकवचन; used as adjective to (implicit) वृत्तान्तम्/कथाम्

• ऋषिमध्ये: among the sages
• ऋषिमध्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7/Locative), एकवचन; ऋषीणां मध्ये = in the midst of sages

• महातपाः: the great ascetic
• महातपाः: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition to सुव्रतः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महातपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘great ascetic’ (epithet of the speaker)

Context

"O worshipful one, what could be the reason for this region shining with luxuriant groves? I wish to hear from you. You can tell me all about this (region). May it be safe for you!"

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra
• ṛṣi (sages)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the truthful transmission of knowledge: the sage responds to a sincere question by teaching fully and accurately, strengthening satya through instruction.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s inquiry, Viśvāmitra begins narrating the full history/significance of the land before the assembled sages.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Teacherly generosity and commitment to truth—Viśvāmitra, firm in vows, instructs without withholding the full account.