Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 3

त्रिसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 73): Mithilā Vivāha

Kanyādāna and the Fourfold Marriage Rites

Devanagari script

केकयाधिपती राजा स्नेहात् कुशलमब्रवीत् ।येषां कुशलकामोऽसि तेषां सम्प्रत्यनामयम् ।।।।

Transliteration

kekayādhipatī rājā snehāt kuśalam abravīt | yeṣāṃ kuśalakāmo 'si teṣāṃ sampraty anāmayam ||

Translation

羯迦耶（Kekaya）之主、那位国王以慈爱问候安康道：“你所关怀其福祉的人们，如今皆无病无恙，安然无虞。”

Word by Word

• svasrīyam: sister's son (nephew)
• svasrīyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svasrīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (Gen/6th), एकवचन

• rājendra: O king of kings
• rājendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: 'rājñām indraḥ'

• draṣṭu-kāmaḥ: wishing to see
• draṣṭu-kāmaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तुमुन्-अन्त (infinitive base) + तत्पुरुष: 'draṣṭuṃ kāmaḥ'; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• mahīpatiḥ: king (lord of the earth)
• mahīpatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'mahyaḥ patiḥ'

• tad-artham: for that purpose
• tad-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव अव्यय: 'tasya artham' = for that purpose

• upayātaḥ: have come
• upayātaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√yā (उप+या धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP used predicatively), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'having come'

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ayodhyām: to Ayodhyā
• ayodhyām: Gati/Karma (गति/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayodhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन; गत्यर्थे कर्म (accusative of goal)

• raghu-nandana: O joy of Raghu
• raghu-nandana: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raghu (प्रातिपदिक) + nandana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

Context

"My father, king of Kekaya affectionately enquires about your welfare. And they whosewelfare you seek are hale and healthy.

Characters & Entities

• Kekaya

FAQs

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

Dharma in social relations includes affectionate concern and truthful communication about others’ well-being—maintaining bonds through respectful inquiry and reliable reporting.

What is the narrative situation?

In the midst of wedding-related gatherings, a message of goodwill is conveyed from the Kekaya king, confirming the health and safety of those concerned.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Snehā (affectionate regard) expressed through courteous, truthful welfare-inquiry (kuśala-prashna) and reassurance.