Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 20

वसिष्ठ-आतिथ्यं

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

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो महातेजा वसिष्ठो जपतां वर:।आजुहाव तत: प्रीत: कल्माषीं धूतकल्मष:।।।।

Transliteration

evam ukto mahātejā vasiṣṭho japatāṃ varaḥ |

ājuhāva tataḥ prītaḥ kalmāṣīṃ dhūtakalmaṣaḥ ||

Translation

Được thưa hỏi như vậy, Đại quang minh Vasiṣṭha—bậc tối thượng trong những người chuyên trì tụng thánh chú, đã gột sạch mọi cấu uế—lòng hoan hỷ, liền gọi con bò đốm Śabalā (Kalmāṣī).

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (thus)

• उक्तः: having been addressed
• उक्तः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) (कृदन्त: क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle): "having been addressed/told"

• महातेजाः: of great splendor
• महातेजाः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहिः: "महत्तेजः यस्य सः"

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• जपताम्: of those who perform japa
• जपताम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप् (धातु) (शतृ/शानच्-आधारित प्रातिपदिक) / जपत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive, 6th), बहुवचन (Plural); "of those who mutter prayers"

• वरः: the best
• वरः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); predicate/apposition: "best"

• आजुहाव: called / summoned
• आजुहाव: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ह्वा (धातु) + आ (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लिट् लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: क्रियाविशेषण (Temporal modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/अनन्तरवाचक अव्यय (thereafter)

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्री (धातु) (कृदन्त: क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); क्त-कृदन्त: "pleased"

• कल्माषीम्: Kalmāṣī (the speckled cow)
• कल्माषीम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्माषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• धूतकल्मषः: free from sin (with sins washed away)
• धूतकल्मषः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (apposition to वसिष्ठः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धूत + कल्मष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहिः: "धूतं कल्मषं यस्य सः"

Context

With the sagacious Viswamitra seated the great ascetic, duly offered him fruits and roots.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Śabalā (Kalmāṣī/Kāmadhenu)

FAQs

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

Hospitality supported by spiritual power: dharma is not only intention but also capability used rightly—Vasiṣṭha prepares to honor a guest fully.

What is the narrative situation?

After the exchange of courtesies, Vasiṣṭha decides to arrange a grand reception and summons the miraculous cow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s generosity and purity—his ascetic merit is employed to serve dharma (guest-honor).