Shloka 1

द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark

Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12

Devanagari script

एतच्च वचनं श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवेण सुभाषितम्।प्रत्ययार्थं महातेजा रामो जग्राह कार्मुकम्4.12.1।।

Transliteration

etac ca vacanaṃ śrutvā sugrīveṇa subhāṣitam | pratyayārthaṃ mahātejā rāmo jagrāha kārmukam ||

Translation

সুগ্ৰীৱৰ সুভাষিত বাক্য শুনি, প্ৰত্যয় স্থাপনাৰ্থে মহাতেজস্বী ৰামে নিজৰ কাৰ্মুক (ধনু) হাতত ল’লে।

Word by Word

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम-रूप (used adjectivally)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• vacanam: speech/words
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (श्रु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive)

• sugrīveṇa: by Sugrīva
• sugrīveṇa: Kartr̥ (कर्ता/agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/कर्ता), एकवचन

• subhāṣitam: well-spoken (words)
• subhāṣitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-bhāṣita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √bhāṣ भाष्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (उपपद/उपसर्गपूर्वक: सु + भाषित); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'well-spoken words'

• pratyaya-artham: for (creating) confidence
• pratyaya-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratyaya (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रत्ययस्य अर्थः); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (प्रयोजन), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (purpose)

• mahā-tejāḥ: the mighty/effulgent one
• mahā-tejāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (महत्तेजो यस्य सः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• rāmaḥ: Rāma
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• jagrāha: took up
• jagrāha: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah (ग्रह्)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• kārmukam: bow
• kārmukam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārmuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

Context

Having heard Sugriva's pleasing words, the brilliant Rama took up the bow in order to inspire confidence in Sugriva.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sugriva
• bow (kārmuka)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is reliability in commitment: Rama signals that his word will be backed by decisive, righteous action, strengthening trust (pratyaya) in an alliance.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sugriva speaks, Rama prepares to act by taking up his bow, indicating readiness to help Sugriva against Vali.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s satya (truthfulness) and steadfast resolve—he does not merely reassure with words but prepares for action.