Shloka 16

वंशवर्णनम् तथा विवाहप्रार्थना

Genealogy of the Ikshvaku Line and the Proposal for Marriage

Devanagari script

विदितं ते महाराज इक्ष्वाकुकुलदैवतम्।।1.70.16।।वक्ता सर्वेषु कृत्येषु वसिष्ठो भगवानृषि:।

Transliteration

viditaṁ te mahārāja ikṣvākukula-daivatam |

vaktā sarveṣu kṛtyeṣu vasiṣṭho bhagavān ṛṣiḥ || 1.70.16 ||

Translation

大王，此事你早已知晓：尊贵的圣仙婆悉吒乃伊克湿伐库王族之天护，在一切祭仪事务中，他为其正当的宣告者。

Word by Word

• viditam: is known
• viditam: Kriyā-sāmānya/predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vid (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Kṛdanta (past passive participle/क्त), Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); impersonal predicate

• te: to you
• te: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Dative (चतुर्थी/4), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahārāja: O great king
• mahārāja: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya, Masculine, Vocative (संबोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन)

• ikṣvākukuladaivatam: the tutelary deity of the Ikṣvāku line
• ikṣvākukuladaivatam: Apposition (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣvāku + kula + daivata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ikṣvākukulasya daivatam), Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); in apposition to vasiṣṭhaḥ

• vaktā: spokesman
• vaktā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaktṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• sarveṣu: in all
• sarveṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying kṛtyeṣu

• kṛtyeṣu: in duties/rites
• kṛtyeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛtya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vasiṣṭhaḥ: Vasiṣṭha
• vasiṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Proper noun, Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhagavān: venerable
• bhagavān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying ṛṣiḥ/vasiṣṭhaḥ

• ṛṣiḥ: sage
• ṛṣiḥ: Apposition (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

"O Great king! venerable Vasishta is the spiritual protector of the Ikshvakus race and it is known that for all ceremonies he is our spokesman".

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Janaka (Vaideha)
• Vasiṣṭha
• Ikṣvāku dynasty

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through recognized spiritual authority: royal action—especially ritual and public duty—should proceed under a legitimate, respected guide (here, Vasiṣṭha), ensuring correctness and integrity.

What is the narrative situation?

In the marriage negotiations at Janaka’s court, Daśaratha introduces Vasiṣṭha as the dynasty’s authoritative priestly voice, preparing for the formal recitation of the Ikṣvāku genealogy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s humility and adherence to propriety: he defers to the qualified sage rather than asserting royal prestige, modeling disciplined rajadharma.