Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 29, Shloka 26

शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp

Devanagari script

प्रेक्षमाणाश्चमूंतांतुबभूवुर्भयविक्लबाः ।तेतुधर्मात्मनादृष्टाराक्षसेन्द्रेणराक्षसा ।।।।

Transliteration

prekṣamāṇāś ca mūṃ tāṃ tu babhūvur bhaya-viklabāḥ | te tu dharmātmanā dṛṣṭā rākṣasendreṇa rākṣasāḥ ||

Translation

As they looked upon that army, those Rākṣasas became shaken with fear; but the righteous Vibhīṣaṇa, lord among Rākṣasas, recognized them at once.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सुवेलस्य: of Suvela
• सुवेलस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवेल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• शैलस्य: mountain’s
• शैलस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive; ‘mountain’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• समीपे: near
• समीपे: अधिकरण (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• रामलक्ष्मणौ: Rama and Lakshmana
• रामलक्ष्मणौ: कर्म (Object of dadṛśuḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (इतरेतर); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• प्रच्छन्नाः: in disguise
• प्रच्छन्नाः: विशेषण (Qualifier of te)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + √छद् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त-विशेषण (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘disguised/hidden’

• ददृशुः: saw
• ददृशुः: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• गत्वा: having gone
• गत्वा: पूर्वकाल क्रिया (Gerundial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् (धातु) + क्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund), ‘having gone/reached’

• ससुग्रीवविभीषणौ: together with Sugriva and Vibhishana
• ससुग्रीवविभीषणौ: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय ‘with’) + सुग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक) + विभीषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (‘सुग्रीवविभीषणाभ्यां सह’); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषण (of rāmalakṣmaṇau)

Context

Those Rakshasas were bewildered with fear on looking at the army. Righteous Vibheeshana recognized them on seeing them.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rākṣasa spies
• Vānara army (mū)

FAQs

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

Dharma is discernment aligned with righteousness: Vibhīṣaṇa’s clarity contrasts with fear-driven confusion, showing steadiness and truthful perception amid crisis.

What is the narrative situation?

The spies, intimidated by the scale of the opposing host, are noticed and identified by Vibhīṣaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s dharma-minded vigilance—he remains composed and attentive, safeguarding Rāma’s camp.