Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 74, Shloka 3

परशुरामप्रादुर्भावः

The Appearance of Parasurama on the Return from Mithila

Devanagari script

गच्छन्तं तं तु राजानमन्वगच्छन्नराधिप:।।।।अथ राजा विदेहानां ददौ कन्याधनं बहु।

Transliteration

gacchantaṃ taṃ tu rājānam anvagacchan narādhipaḥ |

atha rājā videhānāṃ dadau kanyādhanaṃ bahu ||

Translation

当陀舍罗陀王启程之时，阇那迦王随行相送一段；随后，毗提诃之主为诸女赐下丰厚的嫁资与婚礼之礼。

Word by Word

• गच्छन्तम्: going
• गच्छन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त) → गच्छत्
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ, present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (qualifying rājānam)

• तम्: that
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• तु: indeed/and
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; particle

• राजानम्: the king (Daśaratha)
• राजानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• अन्वगच्छत्: followed
• अन्वगच्छत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु+गम् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd person singular

• नराधिपः: the ruler of men (Janaka)
• नराधिपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर + अधिप (प्रातिपदिक); समासः
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (नराणाम् अधिपः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (Janaka)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय; then

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• विदेहानाम्: of the Videhas
• विदेहानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; Genitive plural

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd person singular

• कन्याधनम्: dowry/gifts for the daughters
• कन्याधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या + धन (प्रातिपदिक); समासः
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कन्यायाः धनम् / कन्यानां धनम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• बहु: much, abundant
• बहु: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (qualifying kanyādhanaṃ)

Context

At the sight of the fearful appearance of Parasurama looking like flaming fire, Vasishta and all other saints who were in the habit of chanting mantras and offering oblations to the fire whispered among themselves:

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Daśaratha
• Videha
• Mithilā (implied by Janaka)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights royal and familial dharma: a father responsibly provides for his daughters at marriage, and a king acts with generosity and propriety toward guests and allies.

What is the narrative situation?

After the wedding celebrations at Mithilā, Daśaratha begins the return journey; Janaka accompanies him briefly and then gives substantial bridal gifts.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Janaka’s dāna (generosity) and maryādā (propriety in social rites).