Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 58, Shloka 12

त्रिशङ्कुशापः

Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

एको हि राजा काकुत्स्थ जगाम परमात्मवान्।।।।दह्यमानो दिवारात्रं विश्वामित्रं तपोनिधिम्।

Transliteration

eko hi rājā kākutstha jagāma paramātmavān |

dahyamāno divārātraṃ viśvāmitraṃ tapo-nidhim ||1.58.12||

Translation

于是国王——噢，迦拘特斯陀——心志坚定，孤身前往毗湿瓦密多，那苦行威力之宝藏，昼夜为痛苦所灼。

Word by Word

• एकः: alone
• एकः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘alone’ (qualifies rājā)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: indeed/for)

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• काकुत्स्थ: O Kakutstha (Rama)
• काकुत्स्थ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काकुत्स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• जगाम: went
• जगाम: Kriyā (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• परमात्मवान्: great-souled/steadfast
• परमात्मवान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम + आत्मवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (very resolute/possessed of great spirit)

• दह्यमानः: being tormented
• दह्यमानः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; state of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दह् (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘being burnt/tormented’

• दिवारात्रम्: day and night
• दिवारात्रम्: Kāla (काल/Time-extent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव + रात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (day and night) used adverbially

• विश्वामित्रम्: to Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तपोनिधिम्: treasure of asceticism
• तपोनिधिम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण; apposition to viśvāmitram)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् + निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (treasure of austerity)

Context

O Descendant of Kakustha! wandering alone burning with distress night and day the king went to Viswamitra who was rich in asceticism.

Characters & Entities

• Triśaṅku
• Rāma (Kākutstha)
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

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

In distress, dharma permits seeking refuge in the wise; turning toward tapas and spiritual counsel is presented as a righteous response to suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Abandoned by his people after the curse, Triśaṅku wanders alone and approaches Viśvāmitra for help.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and perseverance: despite disgrace, the king continues seeking a path forward rather than surrendering to despair.