Shloka 24

अष्टमः सर्गः

Daśaratha Resolves on the Aśvamedha (Horse-Sacrifice) for Progeny

Devanagari script

तासां तेनातिकान्तेन वचनेन सुवर्चसाम्।मुखपद्मान्यशोभन्त पद्मानीव हिमात्यये।।।।

Transliteration

tāsāṃ tenātikāntena vacanena suvarcasām |

mukha-padmāny aśobhanta padmānīva himātyaye ||

Translation

因他那极其悦耳的言辞，诸位光辉王后的莲华般面容熠熠生辉——如同寒冬既尽、莲花复又盛开。

Word by Word

• tāsām: of them (the women)
• tāsām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahu-vacana; sarvanāma

• tena: by that
• tena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/napuṃsaka, Tṛtīyā, Eka-vacana; sarvanāma; refers to ‘vacanena’ (by that)

• atikāntena: by the very charming
• atikāntena: Karaṇa-viśeṣaṇa (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati-kānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/napuṃsaka, Tṛtīyā, Eka-vacana; karmadhāraya: ‘exceedingly charming’; viśeṣaṇa of ‘vacanena’

• vacanena: by the words/speech
• vacanena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Eka-vacana

• suvarcasām: of the radiant (women)
• suvarcasām: Ṣaṣṭhī-viśeṣaṇa (षष्ठी-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-varcas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahu-vacana; bahuvrīhi used adjectivally: ‘those who have good radiance’; qualifies ‘tāsām’

• mukhapadmāni: lotus-faces
• mukhapadmāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha-padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; karmadhāraya: ‘lotus-like faces’

• aśobhanta: shone, were resplendent
• aśobhanta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√śubh (शुभ्)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahu-vacana; parasmaipada

• padmāni: lotuses
• padmāni: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Prathamā, Bahu-vacana; upamāna (standard of comparison)

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; upamā-vācaka (comparative particle)

• himātyaye: at the end of winter
• himātyaye: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hima-atyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī, Eka-vacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘hima’ + ‘atyaya’ (passing away of winter); locative of time

Context

Virtuous king Dasaratha paid homage to them (the ministers) and uttered these gracious, righteous and meaningful words.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• the queens (patnī)
• lotuses (padma)

FAQs

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

A dharmic undertaking brings inner clarity and auspicious joy; disciplined intention in righteous action is portrayed as dispelling gloom like winter’s end.

What is the narrative situation?

After Daśaratha’s announcement, the queens respond with visible happiness and renewed hope.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The queens’ receptive faith and auspicious disposition—glad acceptance of a disciplined path toward a righteous aim.