Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 113, Shloka 11

पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च

The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो महाप्राज्ञो वसिष्ठः प्रत्युवाच ह।वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकुशलं राघवं वचनं महत्।।।।

Transliteration

evam ukto mahāprājño vasiṣṭhaḥ pratyuvāca ha | vākyajño vākyakuśalaṃ rāghavaṃ vacanaṃ mahat ||

Translation

如是被问，至智的大圣仙婆悉吒，善知言辞、巧于应对，便以沉重庄严之语答复罗伽婆（罗摩）。

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Prakara-adhikarana (प्रकार-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय

• उक्तः: having been addressed
• उक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; कर्मणि ‘having been addressed’ (of Vasiṣṭha)

• महाप्राज्ञः: greatly wise
• महाप्राज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (महान् प्राज्ञः); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; विशेषण (वसिष्ठः)

• वसिष्ठः: Vasistha
• वसिष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-उप-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार; प्रथम-पुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ह: indeed
• ह: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; स्मरण/वृत्तान्त-प्रदर्शक (indeed/for emphasis)

• वाक्यज्ञः: knower of speech/eloquent
• वाक्यज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक्य-ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वाक्यं जानाति इति); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; विशेषण (वसिष्ठः)

• वाक्यकुशलम्: skilled in speech
• वाक्यकुशलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक्य-कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वाक्ये कुशलः); पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; विशेषण (राघवम्)

• राघवम्: to Raghava (Rama)
• राघवम्: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राघव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन

• वचनम्: speech/words
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन

• महत्: great/important
• महत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; विशेषण (वचनम्)

Context

On hearing him, Vasistha a great intellectual and highly eloquent one replied to Rama, skilled in words of deep significance.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Rāma (Rāghava)

FAQs

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

Dharma is supported by wise counsel: elders and gurus articulate the right course through measured, meaningful speech.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s firm declaration to keep Daśaratha’s pledge, Vasiṣṭha responds, preparing a practical dharmic resolution.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s prajñā (wisdom) and vāg-vaibhava (disciplined, purposeful speech).