Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 17

विश्वामित्रस्य तपोविघ्नः, मेनकाप्रसङ्गः, महर्षिपदप्रदानम्

Visvamitra’s Austerity Obstructed; Menaka Episode; Conferment of Maharshi Status

Devanagari script

देवतानां वच श्शृत्वा सर्वलोकपितामह:।अब्रवीन्मधुरं वाक्यं विश्वामित्रं तपोधनम्।।।।

Transliteration

devatānāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā sarvalokapitāmahaḥ | abravīn madhuraṃ vākyaṃ viśvāmitraṃ tapodhanam ||

Translation

听闻诸天之言，诸世界之祖父梵天以甘美之语对毗湿瓦密多说道——那位以苦行为真财的圣者。

Word by Word

• देवतानाम्: of the gods
• देवतानाम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वचः: words
• वचः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial to main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकाल (prior action): 'having heard'

• सर्वलोकपितामहः: the grandsire of all worlds (Brahmā)
• सर्वलोकपितामहः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + लोक + पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'सर्वलोकानां पितामहः'

• अब्रवीत्: spoke
• अब्रवीत्: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• मधुरम्: sweet
• मधुरम्: कर्मणि विशेषण (Adjectival to object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (adjective) of 'वाक्यम्'

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

• विश्वामित्रम्: to Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रम्: सम्प्रदान/प्रति (Recipient/Addressed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• तपोधनम्: the ascetic whose wealth is tapas
• तपोधनम्: सम्बोधन-विशेषण (Appositional epithet to addressee)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपोधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहि: 'तपो धनं यस्य सः' (one whose wealth is austerity) used as epithet of Viśvāmitra

Context

Having heard the gods, the Grandsire of the worlds (Brahma) addressed Viswamitra whose wealth was his ascetism in these sweet words.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Sarvalokapitāmaha)
• Viśvāmitra
• Devatāḥ (Devas)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes just and compassionate speech: even when judging spiritual attainment, Brahmā addresses the ascetic with sweetness and respect.

What is the narrative situation?

After the gods recommend recognition for Viśvāmitra, Brahmā responds and prepares to address him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful communication and impartial evaluation of spiritual effort.