Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 7

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

सामात्यो मन्त्रिसहितस्सभृत्य: पूजितस्तदा।युक्त: परमहर्षेण वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.53.7।।

Transliteration

sāmātyo mantrisahitaḥ sabhṛtyaḥ pūjitas tadā |

yuktaḥ paramaharṣeṇa vasiṣṭham idam abravīt || 1.53.7 ||

Translation

他于是与大臣、谋士及随从一同受礼敬，心怀极大欢悦，便对婆悉吒说了如下之言。

Word by Word

• pūjitaḥ: honoured
• pūjitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √pūj (पूज् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (of aham)

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• tvayā: by you
• tvayā: Karta (कर्ता) / Agent of passive
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• brahman: O Brahman
• brahman: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (addressing a Brahman)

• pūjā-arheṇa: by (one) worthy of worship
• pūjā-arheṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक) + arha (√arh, अर्ह्; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; ‘by one worthy of worship’

• su-satkṛtaḥ: well received/respected
• su-satkṛtaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + sat-kṛta (sat + √kṛ, कृ; क्त)
• Form: कर्मधारय; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् (of aham)

• śrūyatām: let it be heard
• śrūyatām: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (श्रु धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person, passive/impersonal usage), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः: ‘let it be heard’

• abhidhāsyāmi: I shall state
• abhidhāsyāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√dhā (धा धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• vākyam: a statement
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• vākya-viśārada: O one skilled in speech
• vākya-viśārada: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक) + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; ‘skilled in speech’

Context

Having received the hospitality along with his counsellors, ministers and attendants, Viswamitra, filled with great delight, said to Vasishta":

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Dharma includes courteous speech after receiving honor—responding with appropriate words and intentions.

What is the narrative situation?

After the feast and honors, Viśvāmitra begins speaking to Vasiṣṭha—leading into his request for Śabalā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protocol and diplomacy in interpersonal dealings—though it soon becomes tested by desire.