Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 17

वैवाहिकसंबन्ध

निश्चयः / Fixing the Mithila–Ayodhya Marital Alliance

Devanagari script

तथा ब्रुवति वैदेहे जनके रघुनन्दन:।राजा दशरथो हृष्ट: प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम्।।।।

Transliteration

tathā bruvati vaidehe janake raghunandanaḥ | rājā daśaratho hṛṣṭaḥ pratyuvāca mahīpatim ||

Translation

毗提诃之主阇那迦如此言时，陀舍罗陀王——欢喜踊跃、罗瞿族之荣光——便答复这位大地之主。

Word by Word

• tathā: thus/in that manner
• tathā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक

• bruvati: while (he) was speaking
• bruvati: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति; एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute) with janake vaidehe

• vaidehe: in/when (the) Vaideha (Janaka)
• vaidehe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaideha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति; एकवचन; संबोधन-विशेषणवत्/सति-सप्तमी अङ्ग

• janake: when Janaka
• janake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति; एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी

• raghunandanaḥ: descendant of Raghu (Daśaratha)
• raghunandanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raghu-nandana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (raghu + nandana)

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन

• daśarathaḥ: Daśaratha
• daśarathaḥ: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; apposition to rājā

• hṛṣṭaḥ: delighted
• hṛṣṭaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying daśarathaḥ)

• pratyuvāca: replied
• pratyuvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथम-पुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• mahīpatim: to the lord of the earth (king Janaka)
• mahīpatim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahīpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (mahī + pati)

Context

To the words of Janaka, king of Videha, king Dasaratha, the descendant of Raghu cheerfully replied:

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Videha
• Daśaratha
• Raghu lineage

FAQs

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

Dharma is harmonious reciprocity between righteous kings: Janaka’s fair stance elicits a pleased and orderly response from Daśaratha, sustaining alliance without conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration transitions from Janaka’s assurances to Daśaratha’s forthcoming reply, marking mutual agreement in the marriage proceedings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gratified restraint and dignity—Daśaratha responds with joy tempered by protocol, reflecting royal decorum.