Shloka 15

पुत्रजन्मोत्सवः — Birth of the Princes and Viśvāmitra’s Arrival

Bālakāṇḍa 18

Devanagari script

राज्ञ: पुत्रा महात्मानश्चत्वारो जज्ञिरे पृथक्।।।।गुणवन्तोऽनुरूपाश्च रुच्या प्रोष्ठपदोपमा:।

Transliteration

rājñaḥ putrā mahātmānaś catvāro jajñire pṛthak |

guṇavanto ’nurūpāś ca rucyā proṣṭhapadopamāḥ ||

Translation

于是，国王依次得四位大心之子：德行具足，诸般相称，光辉灿然，如同普罗什塔帕达（Proṣṭhapadā）之星宿。

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक

• अपि: also
• अपि: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निपात (also)

• मनुजव्याघ्राः: tigers among men
• मनुजव्याघ्राः: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manuja + vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—मनुजेषु व्याघ्राः (tigers among men)

• वैदिकाध्ययने: in Vedic study
• वैदिकाध्ययने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidika + adhyayana (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—वैदिकम् अध्ययनम् (Vedic study)

• रताः: engaged; devoted
• रताः: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rata (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √ram)
• Form: कृदन्त (past participle-like), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘ते’ इति विशेषणम्

• पितृशुश्रूषणरता: devoted to serving their parents
• पितृशुश्रूषणरता: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pitṛ + śuśrūṣaṇa + rata (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—पितॄणां शुश्रूषणम् (service to parents) तस्मिन् रताः

• धनुर्वेदे: in archery (science)
• धनुर्वेदे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus + veda (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; समासः—धनुषः वेदः (science of archery)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक

• निष्ठिताः: accomplished; proficient
• निष्ठिताः: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣṭhita (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √sthā + ni)
• Form: कृदन्त (past participle-like), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘ते’ इति विशेषणम्

Context

The gandharvas sang melodiously. Groups of apsaras danced. Celestial kettledrums were sounded. Flowers were showered from the sky. Men througed to Ayodhya to witness the festivities.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Bharata
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Śatrughna

FAQs

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

The verse frames virtue as the true measure of royalty: noble birth is meaningful when paired with guṇa (character), supporting the ideal of dharmic kingship.

What is the narrative situation?

A summary statement concludes the birth-account: Daśaratha has four sons, each notable for excellence and auspicious brilliance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Guṇavattā—possession of virtues—suggesting moral fitness to uphold family and royal responsibilities.