Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 70, Shloka 18

वंशवर्णनम् तथा विवाहप्रार्थना

Genealogy of the Ikshvaku Line and the Proposal for Marriage

Devanagari script

एवमुक्त्वा नरश्रेष्ठे राज्ञां मध्ये महात्मनाम्।।1.70.18।।तूष्णींभूते दशरथे वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।उवाच वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वैदेहं सपुरोधसम्।।1.70.19।।

Transliteration

evam uktvā naraśreṣṭhe rājñāṁ madhye mahātmanām |

tūṣṇīṁ-bhūte daśarathe vasiṣṭho bhagavān ṛṣiḥ |

uvāca vākyaṁ vākyajño vaidehaṁ sa-purodhasam || 1.70.18–19 ||

Translation

Nói vậy giữa hội chúng các bậc đại vương cao cả, Daśaratha—bậc nhất trong loài người—liền lặng thinh. Khi ấy, thánh hiền Vasiṣṭha, người tinh thông lời nói thích đáng, đã cất lời thưa với vua Videha Janaka, đang ngồi cùng các tư tế của mình.

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

• uktvā: having spoken
• uktvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √vac (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/gerund), avyaya

• naraśreṣṭhe: when/while the best of men (was...)
• naraśreṣṭhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa/Karmadhāraya sense 'best among men', Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• rājñām: of kings
• rājñām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• madhye: in the midst
• madhye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahātmanām: of the great-souled
• mahātmanām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi used as substantive 'great-souled ones', Masculine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tūṣṇīm-bhūte: when (he) had become silent
• tūṣṇīm-bhūte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tūṣṇīm (अव्यय) + √bhū (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Avyayībhāva-like formation 'tūṣṇīm-bhūta' (become silent), Kṛdanta (क्त), Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying daśarathe

• daśarathe: in/when Daśaratha
• daśarathe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• vasiṣṭhaḥ: Vasiṣṭha
• vasiṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhagavān: venerable
• bhagavān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying ṛṣiḥ/vasiṣṭhaḥ

• ṛṣiḥ: sage
• ṛṣiḥ: Apposition (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

• vākyaṃ: speech/words
• vākyaṃ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• vākyajñaḥ: knower of speech
• vākyajñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa of karta (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vākya + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (vākyeṣu jñaḥ), Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying vasiṣṭhaḥ

• vaideham: to Vaideha (Janaka)
• vaideham: Sampradāna/Addressed object (सम्प्रदान/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaideha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• sa-purodhasam: together with priests
• sa-purodhasam: Viśeṣaṇa of addressed object (उद्देश्य-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह) + purodhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (सह-समास: 'with priests'), Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying vaideham

Context

Having said this amidst the best of men and the most distinguished among kings, Dasaratha remained silent. Then Vasishta, the venerable sage, well-versed in speechspoke to the Lord of Videhas (Janaka) in the midst of priests.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Vasiṣṭha
• Janaka (Vaideha)
• Kings (assembly)
• Priests (purodhas)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes disciplined speech and restraint: Daśaratha’s silence after proper introduction and Vasiṣṭha’s measured address show that truth and authority are conveyed at the right time, by the right person.

What is the narrative situation?

After presenting Vasiṣṭha as spokesman, Daśaratha pauses; Vasiṣṭha then begins formally addressing Janaka in the presence of priests, initiating the genealogy narrative.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s vākyakuśalatā (skill in fitting speech) and Daśaratha’s self-restraint—both support harmonious, truthful public proceedings.