Shloka 15

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

dūtavākyaṃ ca tac chrutvā rājā paramaharṣitaḥ | vasiṣṭhaṃ vāmadevaṃ ca mantriṇo 'nyāṃś ca so 'bravīt ||

Translation

听罢使者之言，国王欢喜至极，便对婆悉吒、婆摩提婆以及其他大臣说道。

Word by Word

• viśvāmitra-abhyanujñātaḥ: approved by Viśvāmitra
• viśvāmitra-abhyanujñātaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśvāmitra (प्रातिपदिक) + abhi-anu-√jñā (ज्ञा धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; PPP (क्त) of abhyanu-√jñā 'approved/consented'; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies sthitaḥ

• śatānanda-mate: in Śatānanda's opinion
• śatānanda-mate: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatānanda (प्रातिपदिक) + mati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Feminine, Locative, Singular

• sthitaḥ: remaining/standing
• sthitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past active participle (क्त; 'stood/remaining'), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-निपात)

• uktvā: having spoken
• uktvā: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), 'having said'

• viratāḥ: ceased/concluded
• viratāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√ram (रम् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: PPP (क्त) 'ceased/desisted', Masculine, Nominative, Plural; qualifies dūtāḥ

• dūtāḥ: messengers
• dūtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• rāja-gaurava-śaṅkitāḥ: fearing out of respect for the king
• rāja-gaurava-śaṅkitāḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + gaurava (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound (multi-member); Masculine, Nominative, Plural; 'apprehensive due to respect for the king'

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

• Daśaratha
• messengers (dūta)
• Vasiṣṭha
• Vāmadeva
• ministers (mantri)

FAQs

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

A righteous king acts with counsel: dharmic governance includes consulting gurus and ministers before major family-state decisions.

What is the narrative situation?

After receiving Janaka’s invitation and report, Daśaratha turns to his priestly and ministerial advisors to proceed properly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s prudence and respect for guidance—he aligns royal action with learned counsel and tradition.