Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 7

अष्टमः सर्गः

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

Devanagari script

तान्पूजयित्वा धर्मात्मा राजा दशरथस्तदा।इदं धर्मार्थसहितं श्लक्ष्णंवचनमब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

tān pūjayitvā dharmātmā rājā daśarathas tadā |

idaṃ dharmārtha-sahitaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ vacanam abravīt ||

Translation

Bấy giờ, vua Daśaratha, bậc hộ trì chánh pháp, sau khi cung kính tôn kính các vị ấy, liền nói lời dịu dàng này—hợp với Dharma và đầy ý nghĩa.

Word by Word

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• पूजयित्वा: having honored
• पूजयित्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), 'having honored'

• धर्मात्मा: virtuous (righteous-souled)
• धर्मात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहि: धर्मः आत्मा यस्य सः

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• दशरथः: Daśaratha
• दशरथः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb: 'then')

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• धर्मार्थसहितम्: consistent with dharma and artha
• धर्मार्थसहितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + अर्थ + सहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: धर्मार्थेन सहितम् = 'accompanied by righteousness and purpose'

• श्लक्ष्णम्: gentle/gracious
• श्लक्ष्णम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्लक्ष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• वचनम्: words/speech
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अब्रवीत्: said/uttered
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

Context

Having made up his mind to perform the sacrifice, that sagacious and pious king, in consultation with his wise ministers, issued the following command to Sumantra, the best of ministers "Bring all my spritual preceptors along with family priests."

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma includes respectful conduct and truthful, purposeful speech—honor first, then speak in a manner that benefits the rite and community.

What is the narrative situation?

After the sages arrive, Daśaratha receives them with honor and begins explaining his intention.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courtesy and restraint in speech (vāg-dharma), especially toward elders and spiritual authorities.