वाल्मीकि-रामायणम् vālmīki-rāmāyaṇam - book-4, chapter-13, verse-17

अत्र सप्तजना नाम मुनयः संशितव्रताः ।
सप्तैवासन्नधःशीर्षा नियतं जलशायिनः ॥१७॥

17. atra saptajanā nāma munayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ,
saptaivāsannadhaḥśīrṣā niyataṃ jalaśāyinaḥ.

17. atra saptajanāḥ nāma munayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ |
sapta eva āsan adhaḥśīrṣāḥ niyatam jalaśāyinaḥ

17. atra saṃśitavratāḥ saptajanā nāma munayaḥ
sapta eva niyatam adhaḥśīrṣāḥ jalaśāyinaḥ āsan

17. Here lived seven sages (muni) named Saptajanā, who observed strict vows. These same seven constantly remained in the water with their heads submerged.

Words meanings summery:

• अत्र (atra) - here, in this place

• सप्तजनाः (saptajanāḥ) - the name of seven specific sages (seven people, seven individuals)

• नाम (nāma) - by name, namely, indeed

• मुनयः (munayaḥ) - sages, ascetics (muni)

• संशितव्रताः (saṁśitavratāḥ) - of strict vows, of firm resolve

• सप्त (sapta) - seven

• एव (eva) - indeed, only, even

• आसन् (āsan) - they were

• अधःशीर्षाः (adhaḥśīrṣāḥ) - heads downwards, submerged heads

• नियतम् (niyatam) - constantly, regularly, strictly

• जलशायिनः (jalaśāyinaḥ) - lying in water, dwelling in water

Words meanings and morphology

अत्र (atra) - here, in this place

(indeclinable)

सप्तजनाः (saptajanāḥ) - the name of seven specific sages (seven people, seven individuals)

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, plural of saptajana

saptajana - seven people, seven individuals; a proper name for a group of seven sages

compound noun (dvigu or karmadhāraya)

Compound type : dvigu/karmadhāraya (sapta+jana)

• sapta – seven
  numeral
• jana – person, people, man
  noun (masculine)

Note: Here, used as a proper name for a specific group of seven sages.

नाम (nāma) - by name, namely, indeed

(indeclinable)

Note: Used to introduce a name or to emphasize.

मुनयः (munayaḥ) - sages, ascetics (muni)

(noun)

Nominative, masculine, plural of muni

muni - sage, ascetic, hermit, inspired teacher

Note: Subject of the implied verb 'āsan'.

संशितव्रताः (saṁśitavratāḥ) - of strict vows, of firm resolve

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, plural of saṃśitavrata

saṁśitavrata - having firm/strict vows or observances

bahuvrīhi compound

Compound type : bahuvrīhi (saṃśita+vrata)

• saṃśita – sharpened, firm, strict, resolute
  adjective (masculine)
  past passive participle
  prefix sam- + root śo (to sharpen) + -ita
  Prefix: sam
  Root: śo (class 4)
• vrata – vow, sacred observance, religious duty
  noun (neuter)

Note: Agrees with 'munayaḥ'.

सप्त (sapta) - seven

(numeral)

Note: Refers to the seven sages.

एव (eva) - indeed, only, even

(indeclinable)

Note: Emphatic particle.

आसन् (āsan) - they were

(verb)

3rd person , plural, active, past imperfect (laṅ) of as

imperfect active

3rd person plural, imperfect tense, active voice

Root: as (class 2)

अधःशीर्षाः (adhaḥśīrṣāḥ) - heads downwards, submerged heads

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, plural of adhaḥśīrṣa

adhaḥśīrṣa - having the head downwards, head downwards

bahuvrīhi compound

Compound type : bahuvrīhi (adhas+śīrṣa)

• adhas – down, below, underneath
  indeclinable
• śīrṣa – head, top
  noun (neuter)

Note: Agrees with the implied subject, the sages.

नियतम् (niyatam) - constantly, regularly, strictly

(indeclinable)

past passive participle

prefix ni- + root yam (to restrain) + -ta, used here as adverb

Prefix: ni

Root: yam (class 1)

Note: Used adverbially.

जलशायिनः (jalaśāyinaḥ) - lying in water, dwelling in water

(adjective)

Nominative, masculine, plural of jalaśāyin

jalaśāyin - lying in water, dwelling in water

agent noun/adjective derived from root śī (to lie) with jala

compound, from jala + śāyin (from śī)

Compound type : upapada-tatpuruṣa (jala+śāyin)

• jala – water
  noun (neuter)
• śāyin – lying, reposing, sleeping
  adjective (masculine)
  agent noun/participle
  derived from root śī (to lie)
  Root: śī (class 2)

Note: Agrees with the implied subject, the sages.