Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 21

सरमा-सीता संवादः

Saramā Consoles Sītā; Preparations in Laṅkā

Devanagari script

दण्डनिर्घातवादिन्याश्रुत्वाभेर्यामहास्वनम् ।उवाचसरमासीतामिदंमधुरभाषिणी ।।।।

Transliteration

daṇḍanirghātavādinyā śrutvā bheryā mahāsvanam | uvāca saramā sītām idaṃ madhurabhāṣiṇī ||

Translation

Hearing the great roar of drums and the clashing sounds of maces and staffs, Saramā—sweet-spoken—said this to Sītā.

Word by Word

• दण्ड-निर्घात-वादिन्याः: of the (drum) that resounds like rod-blows
• दण्ड-निर्घात-वादिन्याः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + निर्घात (प्रातिपदिक) + वादिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; 'of the (drum) sounding like rod-blows' (qualifies भेर्याः)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: अव्यय-कृदन्त (√श्रु, क्त्वा)

• भेर्याः: of the drum
• भेर्याः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• महा-स्वनम्: great roar; loud sound
• महा-स्वनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; object of श्रुत्वा

• उवाच: said; spoke
• उवाच: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सरमा: Sarama
• सरमा: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सीताम्: Sita
• सीताम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; object (what was said)

• मधुर-भाषिणी: sweet-speaking
• मधुर-भाषिणी: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक) + भाषिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies सरमा)

Context

On hearing the loud sounds of army maces, rods, and drums, Saarana looked at Sita and spoke these sweet words.

Characters & Entities

• Saramā
• Sītā
• Drums (bherī)
• Weapons (daṇḍa, mace/staff)

FAQs

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

Gentle speech amid turmoil is dharma: even when violence gathers, one may counsel and console without harshness.

What is the narrative situation?

The sounds of mobilization intensify; Saramā responds by addressing Sītā with reassuring words.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mādhurya (sweetness of speech) and steadiness—Saramā communicates calmly despite ominous signals.