Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 19

पायसप्रादुर्भावः

The Manifestation of the Divine Payasa and the Avatara Resolution

Devanagari script

इदं तु नृपशार्दूल पायसं देवनिर्मितम्।प्रजाकरं गृहाण त्वं धन्यमारोग्यवर्धनम्।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ tu nṛpaśārdūla pāyasaṃ devanirmitam |

prajākaraṃ gṛhāṇa tvaṃ dhanyam ārogyavardhanam || 1.16.19 ||

Translation

“王中之虎啊，受此诸天所制之乳粥（pāyasa）；它能赐子嗣，增福泽，并增长安康。”

Word by Word

• idam: this
• idam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; modifies pāyasam

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (तु) contrast/emphasis

• nṛpa-śārdūla: O tiger among kings
• nṛpa-śārdūla: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक) + śārdūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (nṛpāṇāṃ śārdūlaḥ)

• pāyasam: payasa (sweet rice-milk)
• pāyasam: Karma (कर्म) of gṛhāṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāyasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• deva-nirmitam: prepared by the gods
• deva-nirmitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of pāyasam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + nirmita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः तत्पुरुषः (devaiḥ nirmitam) used adjectivally with pāyasam

• prajā-karam: producing progeny
• prajā-karam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of pāyasam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः तत्पुरुषः (prajāṃ karoti iti) used adjectivally

• gṛhāṇa: take/receive
• gṛhāṇa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah (ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (imperative/लोट्), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd person), Ekavacana

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता) of gṛhāṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (युष्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Prathamā, Ekavacana

• dhanyam: auspicious, prosperity-giving
• dhanyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of pāyasam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhanya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; adjective of pāyasam

• ārogya-vardhanam: health-increasing
• ārogya-vardhanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of pāyasam
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ārogya (प्रातिपदिक) + vardhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः तत्पुरुषः (ārogyaṃ vardhayati iti) used adjectivally

Context

"O Lion! among kings, receive this payasam prepared by gods, conferring progeny, bestowing affluence and improving health.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• pāyasa
• gods (devāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes sustaining society through rightful lineage and wellbeing. The gift is framed as supporting prajā (progeny), dhana (prosperity), and ārogya (health), showing that dharmic kingship aims at collective stability, not private indulgence.

What is the narrative situation?

The emissary formally offers the divine pāyasa to Daśaratha and states its effects.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible kingship: the king’s desire for children is tied to continuity of righteous rule and public welfare, not merely personal gratification.