Shloka 34

पम्पा

तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka

Devanagari script

अदृश्यमाना वैदेही शोकं वर्धयते मम।दृश्यमानो वसन्तश्च स्वेदसंसर्गदूषकः।।।।

Transliteration

adṛśyamānā vaidehī śokaṃ vardhayate mama |

dṛśyamāno vasantaś ca sveda-saṃsarga-dūṣakaḥ ||

Translation

Wenn Vaidehī unsichtbar bleibt, wächst mein Kummer; und wenn der Frühling sichtbar wird—jener Frühling, der einst den Schweiß der Liebesumarmung vertrieb—vertieft sich mein Schmerz nur noch.

Word by Word

• adṛśyamānā: not being seen
• adṛśyamānā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vaidehī
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-√dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (वर्तमानकृदन्त), Śānac/Ātmanepada passive sense (शानच्), Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'being unseen'

• vaidehī: Vaidehi (Sita)
• vaidehī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidehī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śokam: grief
• śokam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śoka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• vardhayate: increases
• vardhayate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vṛdh (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; ātmanepada (वर्धते/वर्धयते causative-like usage here: 'increases')

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• dṛśyamānaḥ: being seen, visible
• dṛśyamānaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vasantaḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (शानच्), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'being seen/visible'

• vasantaḥ: spring
• vasantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasanta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• sveda-saṃsarga-dūṣakaḥ: spoiling the sweat of union
• sveda-saṃsarga-dūṣakaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vasantaḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sveda (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃsarga (प्रातिपदिक) + dūṣaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: sveda-saṃsargaṃ dūṣayati iti (spoiling/tainting sweat-contact; i.e., making one unfit for union)

Context

'When in place of Vaidehi I see spring (with its cool breeze) that used to take away the sweat generated by sensual enjoyment, my sorrow is intensified.

Characters & Entities

• Sita (Vaidehī)
• spring (vasanta)
• Rama

FAQs

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

The verse highlights truthful acknowledgement of suffering (satya to one’s inner state) and loyal remembrance; pleasure-season imagery becomes a test of restraint, reinforcing marital fidelity as a dharmic commitment.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma contrasts the presence of spring with the absence of Sītā; what once enhanced conjugal joy now becomes painful because his rightful companion is missing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity in love: Rāma’s emotions remain anchored to Sītā alone, reflecting constancy rather than escapism.