Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 7

गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः

The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest

Devanagari script

राघवस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा कौतूहलसमन्वित:।कथयामास धर्मात्मा तस्य शब्दस्य निश्चयम्।।1.24.7।।

Transliteration

rāghavasya vacaḥ śrutvā kautūhala-samanvitaḥ | kathayāmāsa dharmātmā tasya śabdasya niścayam || 1.24.7 ||

Translation

听到罗伽婆满怀好奇的话语，那位具法之心的毗湿瓦密多便向他阐明了那声音的真实缘由与来处。

Word by Word

• राघवस्य: of Raghava (Rama)
• राघवस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राघव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th); एकवचन

• वचः: words/speech
• वचः: कर्म (Karma/Object of 'śrutvā')
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd); एकवचन

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: पूर्वक्रिया (Gerundial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (prior action)

• कौतूहल-समन्वितः: endowed with curiosity
• कौतूहल-समन्वितः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौतूहल (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (सम्+अन्वि/अन्वि?; प्रातिपदिक, क्त-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे (endowed with curiosity); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'धर्मात्मा')

• कथयामास: told/narrated
• कथयामास: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथय् (धातु, णिच् causative from कथ्/कथ)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन

• धर्मात्मा: the righteous-souled one (Viśvāmitra)
• धर्मात्मा: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्मात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (धर्मः आत्मा यस्य/धर्मात्मा = righteous-souled); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• तस्य: of that
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; षष्ठी-विभक्ति; एकवचन; निर्देशवाचक

• शब्दस्य: of the sound
• शब्दस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• निश्चयम्: the explanation/ascertainment
• निश्चयम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of 'kathayāmāsa')
• Type: Noun
• Root: निश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

Context

At the words of Rama filled with curiosity, the righteous (Viswamitra) narrated the true nature of that sound.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as truthful instruction: a righteous teacher responds to sincere inquiry by clarifying reality (satya) rather than leaving the listener in doubt.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma hears a notable sound and asks about it; Viśvāmitra, as guide on the journey, begins explaining its real cause and background.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viśvāmitra’s dharma as a guru—patient, accurate explanation; and Rāma’s teachability shown through attentive curiosity.