Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 20

अष्टमः सर्गः

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

Devanagari script

तथा द्विजास्ते धर्मज्ञा वर्धयन्तो नृपोत्तमम्।अनुज्ञातास्ततस्सर्वे पुनर्जग्मुर्यथागतम्।।।।

Transliteration

tathā dvijāste dharmajñā vardhayanto nṛpottamam |

anujñātās tataḥ sarve punar jagmur yathāgatam ||

Translation

Bấy giờ các vị Bà-la-môn am tường Chánh pháp, chúc phúc cho bậc vua tối thượng; được nhà vua chuẩn thuận, tất cả đều cáo từ và trở về theo lối cũ.

Word by Word

• tathā: thus
• tathā: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; ‘thus’

• dvijāḥ: brahmins (twice-born)
• dvijāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana

• te: those
• te: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; sarvanāma; viśeṣaṇa of ‘dvijāḥ’

• dharmajñāḥ: knowers of dharma
• dharmajñāḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma-jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘dharma’ + ‘jña’ (knowing)

• vardhayantaḥ: praising, blessing
• vardhayantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vṛdh (वृध्) + śatṛ (शतृ) → vardhayant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kṛdanta present active participle (शतृ), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; agreeing with ‘dvijāḥ’; ‘praising/blessing’

• nṛpottamam: the best of kings
• nṛpottamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa-uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Eka-vacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘nṛpa’ + ‘uttama’

• anujñātāḥ: having received permission
• anujñātāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-√jñā (ज्ञा) + kta (क्त) → anujñāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kṛdanta PPP (क्त); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; ‘having been permitted’

• tataḥ: thereafter
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; kāla/krama-avyaya ‘then, thereafter’

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; viśeṣaṇa of implied ‘te’

• punaḥ: back, again
• punaḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; punar-avyaya ‘again/back’

• jagmuḥ: they went, returned
• jagmuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (गम्)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect/लिट्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahu-vacana; parasmaipada

• yathāgatam: as they had come
• yathāgatam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā-āgata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva used adverbially; ‘as (they had) come’

Context

Bowing to this best of kings (Dasaratha), all the brahmins who were experts in austerities left all the knowledgeable brahmins as they came-with his permission.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins (Dvijas)
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma is mutual respect between ruler and spiritual authorities: blessings are offered, permission is sought, and departures occur with propriety.

What is the narrative situation?

After encouraging Daśaratha, the brahmins formally take leave and depart.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Decorum and dharmic social conduct—proper greetings, blessings, and sanctioned departure.