Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 11

हयमेध

यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations

Devanagari script

तथा पौरजनस्यापि कर्तव्या बहुविस्तरा:।आवासा बहुभक्ष्या वै सर्वकामैरुपस्थिता:।।1.13.11।।

Transliteration

tathā paurajanasya 'pi kartavyā bahuvistarāḥ | āvāsā bahubhakṣyā vai sarvakāmair upasthitāḥ ||

Translation

同样，也要为城中百姓与来客备下宽敞住处，食物充裕，并具足一切安乐所需。

Word by Word

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘likewise’

• जानपदस्य: of the countryfolk
• जानपदस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘of the rural people/countryfolk’

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय: ‘also’

• जनस्य: of the people
• जनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘of the people’

• बहु-शोभनम्: very excellent
• बहु-शोभनम्: Karma (कर्म; qualifier of ‘अन्नम्’ by sense)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + शोभन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; adjective used adverbially/qualifying the act or ‘अन्नम्’ by sense: ‘very excellent’

• दातव्यम्: must be given
• दातव्यम्: Kriyā (क्रिया; obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) → दातव्य (कृदन्त/gerundive)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (दातव्य), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicative gerundive: ‘must be given’ (agreeing with ‘अन्नम्’)

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karta (कर्ता; subject in gerundive construction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; subject of gerundive ‘दातव्यम्’

• विधिवत्: properly; as prescribed
• विधिवत्: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय; तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (रीति/प्रकार adverb): ‘according to rule/properly’

• सत्कृत्य: after honoring
• सत्कृत्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया; prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + कृ (धातु) → सत्कृत्य (क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव/gerund)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund): ‘having honored/after treating respectfully’

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; contrast)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (विरोध/contrast particle): ‘but’

• लीलया: casually; playfully
• लीलया: Prakāra/Karaṇa (प्रकार/करण; manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; ‘casually/in a playful manner’ (instrumental of manner)

Context

In the same manner let widely spread residential accommodation be furnished with many items of food and all kinds of entertainment be provided for people from other lands.

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma as public welfare: the king’s sacred enterprise must also serve society through care, order, and generous provision for all participants.

What is the narrative situation?

The preparations extend beyond priests to the wider public—arrangements are made for lodging, food, and comforts for attendees.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Inclusiveness and stewardship—ensuring that collective religious activity does not neglect the needs of ordinary people.