Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 8

शबलाप्रार्थना–वसिष्ठप्रतिज्ञा

The Request for Śabalā and Vasiṣṭha’s Refusal

Devanagari script

पूजितोऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन् पूजार्हेण सुसत्कृत:।श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि वाक्यं वाक्यविशारद।।1.53.8।।

Transliteration

pūjito 'haṃ tvayā brahman pūjārheṇa susatkṛtaḥ |

śrūyatām abhidhāsyāmi vākyaṃ vākyaviśārada || 1.53.8 ||

Translation

婆罗门啊，你本堪受敬礼；你以至诚厚礼礼敬了我。善于言辞者，请聆听——我将陈述我的请求。

Word by Word

• पूजितः: honoured
• पूजितः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (predicate with अहम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूज् (धातु) (कृदन्त: क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); क्त-कृदन्त: "honoured"

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument) (agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• ब्रह्मन्: O Brahman (sage)
• ब्रह्मन्: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana/Vocative address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• पूजार्हेण: worthy of worship
• पूजार्हेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूजार्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम् (qualifying त्वया)

• सुसत्कृतः: well honoured
• सुसत्कृतः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject) (predicate with अहम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + सत्कृत (कृदन्त; कृ धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); क्त-कृदन्त: "well received/honoured"

• श्रूयताम्: let it be heard
• श्रूयताम्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) (कर्मणि)
• Form: लोट् लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग: "let it be heard"

• अभिधास्यामि: I shall tell
• अभिधास्यामि: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु) + अभि (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लृट् लकार (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• वाक्यम्: statement / words
• वाक्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object) (of अभिधास्यामि)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• वाक्यविशारद: O one skilled in speech
• वाक्यविशारद: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana/Vocative address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular); सप्तमी/तत्पुरुषार्थे प्रयोगः: "वाक्येषु विशारदः"

Context

"O Brahman! you are worthy of worship. I was received with reverence and well-entertained by you. O Sage conversant with speech! listen.

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

It stresses dharma of speech: acknowledging kindness truthfully and framing one’s intent openly before making a demand.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra begins his formal address to Vasiṣṭha after receiving hospitality.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful speech and outward gratitude (though the coming request tests inner restraint).