Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 58, Shloka 20

त्रिशङ्कुशापः

Trishanku’s Curse and Appeal to Viśvāmitra

Devanagari script

यज्ञैर्बहुविधैरिष्टं प्रजा धर्मेण पालिता:।।।।गुरवश्च महात्मान श्शीलवृत्तेन तोषिता:।

Transliteration

yajñair bahuvidhair iṣṭaṃ prajā dharmeṇa pālitāḥ | guravaś ca mahātmānaḥ śīlavṛttena toṣitāḥ ||

Translation

我以多种祭祀（yajña）奉献敬拜；我依正法（dharma）护持臣民；诸位伟大的长老与师长，也因我的品德与行持而欢喜。

Word by Word

• यज्ञैः: by sacrifices
• यज्ञैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• बहु-विधैः: of many kinds
• बहु-विधैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः; पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (यज्ञैः)

• इष्टम्: was performed
• इष्टम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'worshipped/performed'

• प्रजाः: subjects/people
• प्रजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• धर्मेण: by righteousness
• धर्मेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• पालिताः: were protected/ruled
• पालिताः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पाल् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; प्रजाः इति कर्तृपदेन सह

• गुरवः: elders/teachers
• गुरवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• महात्मानः: great-souled ones
• महात्मानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शील-वृत्तेन: by (my) character and conduct
• शील-वृत्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील (प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (शीलं च वृत्तं च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• तोषिताः: were pleased
• तोषिताः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तुष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; गुरवः/महात्मानः इत्यन्वयः

Context

I have performed various sacirifices and ruled over my people guided by the law of righteousness. I have pleased eminent elders with my conduct and character.

Characters & Entities

• Triśaṅku
• Viśvāmitra
• prajā (subjects)
• yajña (sacrifices)
• gurus/elders

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma is defined as protecting subjects under righteousness and honoring sacred duties (yajña), linking ethical governance with religious responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Triśaṅku argues his worthiness before Viśvāmitra by citing his sacrifices, just rule, and respectful conduct toward elders.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible kingship—duty-bound protection of the people and reverence toward elders.