Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 7, Shloka 1

काकुत्स्थस्य शोकनिग्रहः—सुग्रीवसान्त्वनम्

Rama’s Grief Restrained—Sugriva’s Consolation

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तस्तु सुग्रीवो रामेणार्तेन वानरः।अब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं सबाष्पं बाष्पगद्गदः।।।।

Transliteration

evam uktas tu sugrīvo rāmeṇārtena vānaraḥ | abravīt prāñjalir vākyaṃ sabāṣpaṃ bāṣpagadgadaḥ || 4.7.1 ||

Translation

Thus addressed by the distressed Rāma, the vānara Sugrīva replied with folded hands—his words tearful and his voice choked with emotion.

Word by Word

• evam: thus, in this way
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• uktaḥ: having been addressed/spoken to
• uktaḥ: Karta-anuguṇa viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृअनुगुण विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थक (having been spoken/addressed)

• tu: but, then
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निपात (particle), विरोध/अनन्तरार्थ (but/then)

• sugrīvaḥ: Sugriva
• sugrīvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• rāmeṇa: by Rama
• rāmeṇa: Kartṛ-karaṇa/Agent (कर्ता—by whom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• ārtena: distressed, afflicted
• ārtena: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ārta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying rāmeṇa)

• vānaraḥ: the monkey (king)
• vānaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सुग्रीवस्य अपपद-विशेषण (appositional)

• abravīt: said, spoke
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• prāñjaliḥ: with folded palms
• prāñjaliḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāñjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying sugrīvaḥ); ‘folded hands’ अवस्था-वाचक

• vākyaṃ: words, a statement
• vākyaṃ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• sabāṣpaṃ: tearful, with tears
• sabāṣpaṃ: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa- (उपसर्ग/पूर्वपद) + bāṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (सहितार्थ: ‘with tears’), विशेषणम् (qualifying vākyaṃ)

• bāṣpa-gadgadaḥ: voice choked with tears
• bāṣpa-gadgadaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bāṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + gadgada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (हेतु/निमित्तार्थ: ‘choked due to tears’), विशेषणम् (qualifying sugrīvaḥ)

Context

On hearing the words of Rama in deep distress, the monkey replied to him with folded hands, his throat choked with tears:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva

FAQs

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

Dharma of friendship and compassion: Sugrīva responds to Rāma’s suffering with respectful empathy, preparing to offer supportive counsel.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing Rāma’s grief and plea, Sugrīva begins his reply—emotionally moved—setting the tone for consolation and guidance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karuṇā (empathetic compassion) expressed through humility (folded hands) and sincere speech.