Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 52

समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः

March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore

Devanagari script

नैरृतं नैरृतानां च नक्षत्रमभिपीड्यते ।मूलो मूलवता स्पृष्टो धूप्यते धूमकेतुना ।।।।

Transliteration

nairṛtaṃ nairṛtānāṃ ca nakṣatram abhipīḍyate | mūlo mūlavatā spṛṣṭo dhūpyate dhūmaketunā ||

Translation

The Nairṛta star—linked with the Nairṛtas—is sorely afflicted: Mūla, touched by Mūlavatā, is further oppressed by the comet (Dhūmaketu).

Word by Word

• नैरृतम्: Nairrita (south-western)
• नैरृतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नैरृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; दिक्/नक्षत्रविशेषण

• नैरृतानाम्: of the Nairritas (demons)
• नैरृतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैरृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (of the Nairritas/demons)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• नक्षत्रम्: asterism
• नक्षत्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभिपीड्यते: is severely afflicted
• अभिपीड्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पीड् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद; उपसर्ग: अभि-

• मूलः: Mula (asterism)
• मूलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक; नक्षत्रनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मूलवता: by the one possessing Mula (i.e., Mula-asterism influence)
• मूलवता: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूलवत् (प्रातिपदिक; मूल + वत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वत्-प्रत्ययान्त; करण (agent/instrument causing contact)

• स्पृष्टः: having been touched
• स्पृष्टः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √स्पृश् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त; 'having been touched'

• धूप्यते: is smoked/tormented
• धूप्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धूप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद

• धूमकेतुना: by a comet
• धूमकेतुना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूमकेतु (प्रातिपदिक; धूम + केतु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: धूमः केतुः यस्य (comet)

Context

The star called Niruta (of rakshasas) in the south-west is highly tormented by the touch of the Mula star (close to it) and is oppressed.

Characters & Entities

• Mūla (nakṣatra)
• Dhūmaketu (comet)

FAQs

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

Adharma is shown as self-destructive: ominous celestial afflictions symbolize that unjust power (the rākṣasa side) is under moral and cosmic pressure.

What is the narrative situation?

After listing auspicious signs for Rāma, the speaker notes hostile or afflicted stars and a comet—read as bad omens for the enemies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral courage: recognizing that injustice is weakening encourages the righteous side to act decisively without hatred, focusing on restoration.