Shloka 14

जनकदूतागमनम्

The Arrival of Janaka’s Messengers in Ayodhya

Devanagari script

एवं विदेहाधिपतिर्मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।1.68.14।।विश्वामित्राभ्यनुज्ञात श्शतानन्दमते स्थित:।इत्युक्त्वा विरता दूता राजगौरवशङ्किता:।।1.68.15।।

Transliteration

evaṃ videhādhipatir madhuraṃ vākyam abravīt || 1.68.14 || viśvāmitrābhyanujñātaḥ śatānandamate sthitaḥ | ity uktvā viratā dūtā rājagauravaśaṅkitāḥ || 1.68.15 ||

Translation

毗提诃之主以甘美之言如是说道。得毗湿瓦密多许可，并依沙多难陀之意见，使者们说罢便止语，因敬畏其王而自持。

Word by Word

evamthus

videha-adhipatiḥthe lord of Videha (Janaka)

madhuramsweet

vākyamwords/speech

abravītspoke

Context

The king of Videha (Janaka) with Viswamitra's approval and in line with Satananda's thinking has conveyed these sweet words". The messengers having said so concluded out of respect for their king (afraid that they might look overtalkative).

Characters & Entities

Janaka (Videhādhipati)

Videha

Viśvāmitra

Śatānanda

dūta (messengers)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes disciplined speech and respect for hierarchy: envoys speak only what is authorized, guided by sages’ approval, and stop appropriately out of propriety (maryādā).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration closes the envoys’ formal message to Daśaratha, noting it was aligned with Viśvāmitra and Śatānanda and delivered with courtly restraint.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Restraint and decorum—messengers embody controlled, respectful communication, a key virtue in royal and dharmic governance.