Shloka 40

वर्षावर्णनम्

The Monsoon Description and Rama’s Counsel on Timing

Devanagari script

नीलेषु नीला: प्रविभान्ति सक्ताःमेघेषु मेघा नववारिपूर्णाः।दवाग्निदग्धेषु दवाग्निदग्धाश्शैलेषु शैला इव बद्धमूलाः।।

Transliteration

nīleṣu nīlāḥ pravibhānti saktā meghēṣu meghā navavāripūrṇāḥ |

davāgnidagdheṣu davāgnidagdhāḥ śaileṣu śailā iva baddhamūlāḥ ||

Translation

An den dunklen Bergflanken leuchten, fest anhaftend, die dunklen Wolken, erfüllt von frischem Regenwasser; wie Felsmassen, vom Waldbrand versengt, und doch fest verwurzelt auf den Höhen.

Word by Word

नीलेषुin the dark (ones/places)

नीलाःdark (ones)

प्रविभान्तिshine forth

सक्ताःattached/leaning

मेघेषुin clouds

मेघाःclouds

नववारिपूर्णाःfilled with fresh water

दवाग्निदग्धेषुamong those burnt by forest-fire

दवाग्निदग्धाःburnt by forest-fire

शैलेषुon mountains

शैलाःmountains

इवlike/as if

बद्धमूलाःwith roots bound/firmly rooted

Context

'Dark clouds filled with fresh water, leaning on dark clouds appear like boulders of rock, scorched with wild fire with their bases yet firmly rooted shining.

Characters & Entities

clouds

mountains

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadiness under stress: like fire-scorched rocks still rooted, one should remain grounded in truth and duty even when circumstances are harsh.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama describes the visual drama of monsoon clouds resting on mountain slopes, using wildfire-scorched rock as a comparison.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fortitude: the imagery echoes Rama’s own rootedness in dharma despite suffering and uncertainty.