Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 4

वानरसेनामिलनम् / The Mustering of the Vanara Hosts

Devanagari script

एवं त्वयि न तच्चित्रं भवेद्यत्सौम्य शोभनम्।जानाम्यहं त्वां सुग्रीव सततं प्रियवादिनम्।।4.39.4।।

Transliteration

evaṃ tvayi na tac citraṃ bhaved yat saumya śobhanam |

jānāmy ahaṃ tvāṃ sugrīva satataṃ priyavādinam || 4.39.4 ||

Translation

O gentle Sugrīva, it is no surprise that you act so nobly; I know you to be ever gracious and pleasing in speech.

Word by Word

• jahāra: carried off
• jahāra: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• ātma-vināśāya: for his own destruction
• ātma-vināśāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + vināśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी: "आत्मनः विनाशः"), पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन), एकवचन; purpose: "for (his) self-destruction"

• vaidehīm: Vaidehi (Sita)
• vaidehīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidehī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• rākṣasādhamaḥ: the vile demon
• rākṣasādhamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + adhama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय: "अधमः राक्षसः"), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• vañcayitvā: having deceived
• vañcayitvā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vañc (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), "having deceived"

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• paulomīm: Paulomi (Indra's wife)
• paulomīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paulomī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• anuhlādaḥ: Anuhlada
• anuhlādaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anuhlāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Upamana (उपमान/standard of comparison)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (comparative particle)

• śacīm: Sachi
• śacīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śacī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

Context

Sarabha, Kumuda, Vahni and Ramhi and many other vanara troops who can assume any form at their will and others from all over the land, mountains and forest advanced towards Sugriva. All the outstanding vanaras of the earth came and covered the land.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sugriva

FAQs

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

Recognizing virtue truthfully: Rama affirms that noble conduct and gentle speech are consistent with Sugriva’s character, reinforcing dharmic appreciation and fairness in judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama addresses Sugriva during the preparations to search for Sita, acknowledging Sugriva’s supportive and courteous nature.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugriva’s priyavāda (pleasant, considerate speech) and dependable friendship.