Shloka 21

सप्तसप्ततितमः सर्गः

Ayodhya Return, Bridal Reception, and Bharata’s Departure

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा दशरथस्यैतद्भरत: कैकयीसुत:।।1.77.20।।अभिवाद्य गुरुं रामं परिष्वज्य च लक्ष्मणम्। गमनायाभिचक्राम शत्रुघ्नसहितस्तदा।।1.77.21।।

Transliteration

āpṛcchya pitaraṃ śūro rāmaṃ cākliṣṭakāriṇam |

mātṝś cāpi naraśreṣṭha śatrughnasahito yayau || 1.77.22 ||

Translation

勇武的婆罗多，人中最胜者，辞别其父、辞别行事不倦的罗摩，并向诸母告别后，与设多卢伽那相伴而去。

Word by Word

• āpṛcchya: having taken leave (asked permission)
• āpṛcchya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-pṛcch (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta; absolutive/gerund (ल्यप्), prior action

• pitaram: father
• pitaram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• śūraḥ: the valiant one
• śūraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; epithet of Bharata

• rāmam: Rāma
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• akliṣṭa-kāriṇam: the unwearied doer (of deeds)
• akliṣṭa-kāriṇam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-kliṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + kārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: 'unwearied' + 'doer'; Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; qualifies Rāma

• mātṝḥ: (his) mothers
• mātṝḥ: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• api: also
• api: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (emphasis/addition)

• naraśreṣṭha: O best of men
• naraśreṣṭha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'among men' + 'best'); Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular, Masculine

• śatrughna-sahitaḥ: accompanied by Śatrughna
• śatrughna-sahitaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śatrughna (प्रातिपदिक) + sahita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Associative tatpuruṣa ('with Śatrughna'); Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies śūraḥ (Bharata)

• yayau: departed
• yayau: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्/perfect), Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Singular

Context

Having heard the words of Dasaratha, Bharata, son of Kaikeyi paid obeisance to his father and Rama, embraced Lakshmana and prepared for the journey with Satrughna.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• mothers (Kaikeyī, Kauśalyā, Sumitrā implied)
• Śatrughna

FAQs

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

Seeking consent and blessing before departure reflects family-dharma and respect for elders, ensuring actions remain within righteous bounds.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata formally takes leave of Daśaratha, Rāma, and the queens, and then travels with Śatrughna.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discipline and propriety—Bharata follows correct protocol rather than acting impulsively.