Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 53

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः

Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

तत: प्रीतेषु नृपतिर्द्विजेषु द्विजवत्सल:।प्रणाममकरोत्तेषां हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षण:।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prīteṣu nṛpatir dvijeṣu dvijavatsalaḥ | praṇāmam akarot teṣāṃ harṣaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ ||

Translation

当婆罗门们心生欢喜之时，国王——素来敬爱二次生者——便向他们恭敬顶礼；他因喜悦而目光微颤。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb ‘then’

• prīteṣu: when (they) were pleased
• prīteṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (locative absolute-like context with dvijeṣu)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (प्रातिपदिक; PPP used adjectivally)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘when/among (them) being pleased’

• nṛpatiḥ: the king
• nṛpatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• dvijeṣu: among the brahmins
• dvijeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘among the brahmins’

• dvijavatsalaḥ: affectionate to brahmins
• dvijavatsalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvija + vatsala (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); ‘affectionate towards brahmins’ (qualifies nṛpatiḥ)

• praṇāmam: salutation, bow
• praṇāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• akarot: made (did)
• akarot: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada — ‘did/made’

• teṣām: of/to them
• teṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) (possessor/target of praṇāma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• harṣaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ: with eyes brimming with joy
• harṣaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: harṣa + paryākula + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); ‘whose eyes were agitated/filled with joy’ (qualifies nṛpatiḥ)

Context

When the brahmins were pleased, king Dasaratha who was fond of brahmins bowed to them with his eyes filled with delight.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Brāhmaṇas

FAQs

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

Humility and reverence: rightful power is tempered by respect for dharma’s custodians (the learned), shown through sincere praṇāma.

What is the narrative situation?

After the brāhmaṇas are satisfied with the gifts and proceedings, Daśaratha respectfully salutes them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vinaya (humble conduct) joined with gratitude—Daśaratha honors those who uphold the rite and bless his house.