Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.65 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 65

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis

Narada’s Summary to Valmiki

Devanagari script

उत्स्मयित्वा महाबाहु: प्रेक्ष्य चास्थि महाबल: ।पादाङ्गुष्ठेन चिक्षेप सम्पूर्णं दशयोजनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

utsmayitvā mahābāhuḥ prekṣya cāsthi mahābalaḥ |

pādāṅguṣṭhena cikṣepa sampūrṇaṃ daśa-yojanam ||

Translation

Da lächelte der mächtige, starkarmige Rāma, blickte auf die Gebeine und schleuderte sie mit dem großen Zeh fort — volle zehn Yojanas weit.

Word by Word

• bibheda: pierced / split
• bibheda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhid (भिद्) (धातु)
• Form: Tinganta, Parasmaipada; Lakāra: Liṭ (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb = 'again'

• sālān: śāla trees
• sālān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāla/sāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Bahuvacana (plural)

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective (संख्यावाचक), indeclinable-like; qualifying sālān

• ekena: with one (single)
• ekena: Karaṇa (करण) (instrument qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/Napuṃsaka, Tṛtīyā (Instr/3rd), Ekavacana; qualifying maheṣuṇā

• maheṣuṇā: with a mighty arrow
• maheṣuṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + iṣu (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instr/3rd), Ekavacana; karmadhāraya ‘mahān iṣuḥ’ = 'great arrow'

• girim: a mountain
• girim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana

• rasātalam: Rasātala (nether region)
• rasātalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rasātala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana; name of netherworld

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, emphatic particle (अवधारण) = 'indeed/just'

• janayan: producing / creating
• janayan: Karta (कर्ता) (agent participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (जन्) (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ) → janayan (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; agreeing with implied subject (Rāma)

• pratyayam: confidence / conviction
• pratyayam: Karma (कर्म) (object of janayan)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana

• tathā: thus
• tathā: Prakāra (प्रकार) (manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb = 'thus/so/thereby'

Context

The strong-armed Rama, who was endowed with great strength looked at the skeleton and smiled within himself for a while. He kicked off the skeleton with the great toe of his foot completely to a full distance of ten yojanas (eighty miles).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Dundubhi (implied by prior context)
• yojana (measure)

FAQs

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

Dharma is served by removing doubt through truthful demonstration: Rāma does not demand faith without basis; he provides a clear sign that his vow can be upheld.

What is the narrative situation?

To reassure Sugrīva, Rāma displays extraordinary strength by casting away Dundubhi’s skeletal remains to an immense distance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s capability joined with composure—power under control—showing that strength can support righteous purpose rather than pride.