Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 58

सुग्रीवस्य शतवलि-प्रेषणम्

Sugriva’s Commission to Satavali for the Northern Search

Devanagari script

भगवानपि विश्वात्मा शम्भुरेकादशात्मकः।ब्रह्मा वसति देवेशो ब्रह्मर्षिपरिवारितः।।।।

Transliteration

bhagavān api viśvātmā śambhur ekādaśātmakaḥ |

brahmā vasati deveśo brahmarṣiparivāritaḥ ||

Translation

There dwell divine beings as well: Śambhu in his elevenfold form, and Brahmā, lord of the gods, surrounded by Brahmarṣis; and the all-pervading cosmic Self is also spoken of in that sacred sphere.

Word by Word

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Addition)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (also/even)

• विश्वात्मा: the universal self
• विश्वात्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: विश्वस्य आत्मा (soul of the universe)

• शम्भुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (Śambhu)

• एकादशात्मकः: elevenfold in form
• एकादशात्मकः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकादश + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (शम्भुः); द्विगु: एकादश (eleven) + आत्मक (of the nature of)

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (Brahmā)

• वसति: dwells
• वसति: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देवेशः: lord of gods
• देवेशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: देवानाम् ईशः (lord of gods)

• ब्रह्मर्षिपरिवारितः: surrounded by Brahmarṣis
• ब्रह्मर्षिपरिवारितः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मर्षि + परिवारित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) 'परि+वृ' भावे: surrounded; तत्पुरुष: ब्रह्मर्षिभिः परिवारितः

Context

'Even divine beings, the eleven-fold Samhbu, the all-pervading Visnu and Lord Brahma surrounded by Brahmarshis (divine seers) reside there.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

FAQs

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

Dharma is grounded in recognition of sacred order: the world includes higher realities and seers, and right conduct aligns with that truth rather than mere impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva concludes the description of the northern sacred realm by naming its exalted divine and rishi inhabitants.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence (śraddhā) and humility before divinity—qualities that support truthful and disciplined action.