Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 15

अष्टमः सर्गः

Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny

Devanagari script

सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम्।शान्तयश्चाभिवर्धन्तां यथाकल्पं यथाविधि।।।।

Transliteration

sarayvāś cottare tīre yajñabhūmir vidhīyatām |

śāntayaś cābhivardhantāṁ yathākalpaṁ yathāvidhi ||

Translation

Xin hãy thiết lập đàn tràng tế lễ trên bờ bắc sông Sarayū; và các nghi thức an tức, cầu hòa hãy được gia tăng và cử hành—đúng theo Kalpa và đúng theo pháp nghi.

Word by Word

• सरय्वाः: of the Sarayū (river)
• सरय्वाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरयू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• उत्तरे: on the northern
• उत्तरे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular); तीरे इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• तीरे: bank/shore
• तीरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• यज्ञभूमिः: the sacrificial ground
• यज्ञभूमिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ + भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: यज्ञस्य भूमिः = 'sacrificial ground'

• विधीयताम्: let (it) be prepared/constructed
• विधीयताम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + धा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive): 'let it be arranged/made'

• शान्तयः: pacificatory rites
• शान्तयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शान्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अभिवर्धन्ताम्: let (them) increase/prosper
• अभिवर्धन्ताम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + वर्ध् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद

• यथाकल्पम्: according to the prescribed ritual code
• यथाकल्पम्: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + कल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (adverbial): 'according to the ritual rule/kalpa'

• यथाविधि: according to rule
• यथाविधि: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (adverbial): 'according to the ordinance/procedure'

Context

If obstructions and omissions do not occur in the conduct of this best of sacrifices, it will be possible for every king to get the results.

Characters & Entities

• Sarayū river
• Yajñabhūmi (sacrificial ground)

FAQs

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

Dharma is careful observance of prescribed rites and safeguards—right action includes right method, right place, and right pacification to prevent harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha specifies the location and ritual protocol for constructing and sanctifying the Aśvamedha venue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for śāstra and thoroughness—he stresses Kalpa conformity and protective rites.