Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 8

वैवाहिकसंबन्ध

निश्चयः / Fixing the Mithila–Ayodhya Marital Alliance

Devanagari script

उभयोरपि राजेन्द्र सम्बन्धेनानुबध्यताम्।इक्ष्वाको: कुलमव्यग्रं भवत:पुण्यकर्मण:।।।।

Transliteration

ubhayor api rājendra sambandhenānubadhyatām | ikṣvākoḥ kulam avyagraṃ bhavataḥ puṇyakarmaṇaḥ ||

Translation

Tâu bậc vương trung chi vương, xin cho hai dòng tộc được gắn kết bền chặt bởi mối thân duyên này—gia thất của Người, bậc làm việc phước thiện, và vương tộc Ikṣvāku—không chút bất hòa.

Word by Word

• ubhayor: of both
• ubhayor: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध) with sambandhena
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī Dvivacana (genitive dual)

• api: also
• api: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Sambhāvanā/samuccaya-avyaya (particle: 'also/even')

• rājendra: O king
• rājendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sambodhana Ekavacana, Puṃliṅga; tatpuruṣa: 'rājñām indraḥ' (king of kings)

• sambandhena: by alliance/relationship
• sambandhena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sambandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā Ekavacana

• anubadhyatām: let it be joined
• anubadhyatām: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu + √bandh (बन्ध्) (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra, Prathama-puruṣa Ekavacana, Ātmanepada; passive/impersonal: 'let it be bound/connected'

• ikṣvākoḥ: of Ikshvaku
• ikṣvākoḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध) with kulam
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣvāku (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana

• kulam: lineage
• kulam: Karta (कर्ता) (logical subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā Ekavacana; here Prathamā as subject of anubadhyatām (impersonal passive)

• avyagram: undisturbed/clear-minded
• avyagram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of kulam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyagra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā Ekavacana; agrees with kulam

• bhavataḥ: your
• bhavataḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध) with kulam
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana; honorific 'of you'

• puṇyakarmaṇaḥ: of pious deeds
• puṇyakarmaṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of bhavataḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṇya + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: 'puṇyāni karmāṇi yasya' qualifying bhavataḥ

Context

O King of kings (Janaka)! the bond between your race with its pious deeds and the Ikshvakus may be strenghthened by this alliance".

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Janaka
• Ikṣvāku dynasty

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through harmonious alliances: marriage is not private desire but a public, ethical bond meant to stabilize and unify righteous lineages.

What is the narrative situation?

The sage urges Janaka to accept the marital ties so that Mithilā’s house and the Ikṣvāku dynasty become securely connected.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Public-mindedness and commitment to kula-dharma—placing dynastic harmony and righteousness above narrow interests.