Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 13

वैवाहिकसंबन्ध

निश्चयः / Fixing the Mithila–Ayodhya Marital Alliance

Devanagari script

उत्तरे दिवसे ब्रह्मन् फल्गुनीभ्यां मनीषिण:।वैवाहिकं प्रशंसन्ति भगो यत्र प्रजापति:।।।।

Transliteration

uttare divase brahman phalgunībhyāṃ manīṣiṇaḥ | vaivāhikaṃ praśaṃsanti bhago yatra prajāpatiḥ ||

Translation

婆罗门啊，智者称赞婚礼之仪在与两宿“婆伽尼”（Phalgunī）相应的次日最为吉祥——彼时由婆伽（Bhaga）以生主（Prajāpati）之位主宰。

Word by Word

• uttare: on the later
• uttare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th); एकवचन; ‘later/following’ (agreeing with divase)

• divase: day
• divase: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th); एकवचन

• brahman: O Brahmin (O revered one)
• brahman: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative); एकवचन

• phalgunībhyām: by/with the two Phalgunīs
• phalgunībhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phalgunī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd); द्विवचन; (dual asterisms ‘the two Phalgunīs’)

• manīṣiṇaḥ: wise people
• manīṣiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manīṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); बहुवचन

• vaivāhikam: the marriage (rite/day)
• vaivāhikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaivāhika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd); एकवचन; ‘marriage-related (rite/day)’

• praśaṃsanti: praise
• praśaṃsanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-śaṃs (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present); प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person); बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• bhagaḥ: Bhaga
• bhagaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); एकवचन; देवता-नाम

• yatra: where/when
• yatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सम्बन्ध/स्थानवाचक-प्रश्न/सम्बन्ध (relative adverb): ‘where/when’

• prajāpatiḥ: (as) Prajāpati
• prajāpatiḥ: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (prajā + pati)

Context

"The wise, O Brahmin! think the marriage is favourable when Bhaga is Prajapati on the succeeding day of the ascent of the two stars. (that is, when poorva is followed by uttara phalguni).

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra
• Bhaga
• Prajāpati

FAQs

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

Dharma includes acting in harmony with sanctioned tradition: rites are performed at auspicious times to align personal life-events with cosmic and social order.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka indicates the preferred auspicious day for conducting the weddings, referencing traditional astrological/ritual considerations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ritual conscientiousness—Janaka shows careful attention to propriety and the well-being associated with correct ceremonial timing.