Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 15

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

सर्वस्वमेतत्सत्येन मम तुष्टिकरी सदा।कारणैर्बहुभी राजन्न दास्ये शबलां तव।।1.53.15।।

Transliteration

sarvasvam etat satyena mama tuṣṭikarī sadā | kāraṇair bahubhī rājan na dāsye śabalāṃ tava ||

Translation

诚然，她就是我的一切，常令我心满意足；因此，出于诸多缘由，国王啊，我决不将舍婆罗（Śabalā）交予你。

Word by Word

• sarvasvam: entire wealth
• sarvasvam: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarvasva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'sarvaṃ svaṃ' (entire possession)

• etat: this
• etat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (एतद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; qualifies sarvasvam

• satyena: truly
• satyena: Prakāra (प्रकार/manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tṛtīyā vibhakti used adverbially (instrumental of manner): 'in truth/truly'

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• tuṣṭikarī: satisfaction-giving
• tuṣṭikarī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tuṣṭi + karī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'tuṣṭiṃ karoti' (causing satisfaction)

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kāla (काल/time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (adverb of time)

• kāraṇaiḥ: for reasons
• kāraṇaiḥ: Hetu (हेतु/reason)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• bahubhiḥ: many
• bahubhiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; agrees with kāraṇaiḥ

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Niṣedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-nipāta

• dāsye: I will give
• dāsye: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Luṭ lakāra (periphrastic future), Uttama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada (Vedic/epic variant ending -e)

• śabalām: Śabalā
• śabalām: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śabalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• tava: to you
• tava: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/for you; intended recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (युष्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

Context

This one is truly my whole possession, it always gives me contentment. O King! for various reasons, I will not give Sabala to you".

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Viśvāmitra
• Śabalā

FAQs

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

Satya aligned with dharma: Vasiṣṭha states the truth plainly and refuses an unrighteous transfer, showing that truthfulness supports moral order.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha concludes his refusal, asserting Śabalā’s centrality to his life and duties, and denying Viśvāmitra’s request.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful firmness: unwavering commitment to what is right, even when confronted by royal power.