Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 29

पञ्चदशः सर्गः — देवकृत-प्रार्थना, रावणवधोपायः, विष्णोः मानुषावतारनियोजनम्

Sarga 15: The Devas’ Petition, the Means to Slay Ravana, and Vishnu’s Commission to Incarnate as Man

Devanagari script

एवं दत्वा वरं देवो देवानां विष्णुरात्मवान्।मानुषे चिन्तयामास जन्मभूमिमथात्मन:।।1.15.29।।

Transliteration

evaṁ datvā varaṁ devo devānāṁ viṣṇur ātmavān | mānuṣe cintayāmāsa janmabhūmim athātmanaḥ || 1.15.29 ||

Translation

如此，赐予诸天此恩许之后，自持的主毗湿奴便在人间沉思：自己将于何处降生。

Word by Word

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘then’)

• deva-ṛṣi-gandharvāḥ: gods, seers, and gandharvas
• deva-ṛṣi-gandharvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक) + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व समास (देव + ऋषि + गन्धर्व), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• sa-rudrāḥ: together with the Rudras
• sa-rudrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय) + rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष (सह-भाव: रुद्रैः सह), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• sa-apsaraḥ-gaṇāḥ: together with groups of apsarases
• sa-apsaraḥ-gaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय) + apsaras (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष (अप्सरोगणैः सह), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• stutibhiḥ: with hymns
• stutibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: stuti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• divya-rūpābhiḥ: of divine form (splendid)
• divya-rūpābhiḥ: Karaṇa-viśeṣaṇa (करणविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय समास (दिव्यानि रूपाणि यासाम्/दिव्यरूपाः), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; stutibhiḥ-विशेषण

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised
• tuṣṭuvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: stu (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• madhusūdanam: Madhusūdana (slayer of Madhu)
• madhusūdanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक) + sūdana (प्रातिपदिक; √sūd)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी: मधोः सूदनः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

To help Dasaratha beget sons, brilliant Rsyasringa commenced putriyeshti, a sacrifice for begetting children, by pouring oblations into sacrificial fire and chanting mantras in accordance with traditions.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Devas

FAQs

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

Dharma is purposeful descent for the world’s welfare: divine power is directed by a moral aim, not mere force.

What is the narrative situation?

After assuring the gods, Viṣṇu considers where to be born as a human to accomplish the mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Deliberate, responsible resolve—acting with clarity and intention for the common good.