Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 1

वैवाहिकसंबन्ध

निश्चयः / Fixing the Mithila–Ayodhya Marital Alliance

Devanagari script

तमुक्तवन्तं वैदेहं विश्वामित्रो महामुनि:।उवाच वचनं वीरं वसिष्ठसहितो नृपम्।।।।

Transliteration

tam uktavantaṃ vaidehaṃ viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ | uvāca vacanaṃ vīraṃ vasiṣṭhasahito nṛpam ||

Translation

毗提诃的英勇国王既已如此言毕，大圣仙毗湿瓦密多偕同婆悉吒，以相称之言对国王开口。

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine) — 'him'

• उक्तवन्तम्: who had spoken
• उक्तवन्तम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of 'tam')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) + उक्तवत् (कृदन्त, क्तवतुँ)
• Form: कृदन्त: क्तवतुँ-प्रत्यय (perfective/agentive past participle); द्वितीया, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग — 'having spoken/one who had spoken'

• वैदेहम्: the Videhan (Janaka)
• वैदेहम्: कर्म (Karma/Object) / अधिकरण-सम्बन्ध (addressed person)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine) — 'the king of Videha (Janaka)'

• विश्वामित्रः: Viśvāmitra
• विश्वामित्रः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वामित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); समास: विश्व + मित्र (तत्पुरुष) — proper name

• महामुनिः: the great sage
• महामुनिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject) / विशेष्य (Apposition to Viśvāmitra)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; समास: महा + मुनि (कर्मधारय) — 'great sage'

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद — 'said/spoke'

• वचनम्: words
• वचनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग — 'words/speech'

• वीरम्: valiant
• वीरम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग — 'valiant' (qualifying nṛpam/vaideham)

• वसिष्ठसहितः: accompanied by Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठसहितः: विशेषण (Qualifier of subject Viśvāmitra)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वसिष्ठ + सहित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; समास: वसिष्ठेन सहितः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष) — 'accompanied by Vasiṣṭha'

• नृपम्: the king
• नृपम्: कर्म (Karma/Object) / सम्बोधनार्थ (addressed king)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग — 'king'

Context

When Janaka the valiant king of Videha thus spoke (on the genealogy of his family) the mighty ascetic Viswamitra accompanied by Vasishta said to Janaka:

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Videha
• Viśvāmitra
• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as deference to wise counsel: the king’s words are met by the guiding response of sages, showing governance aligned with spiritual authority.

What is the narrative situation?

After Janaka’s statement (including lineage and intent), Viśvāmitra, with Vasiṣṭha, begins addressing him regarding the next steps.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respectful communication and disciplined counsel—sages guiding royal action without coercion, through appropriate speech.