Shloka 19

मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा

Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship

Devanagari script

ततस्सुपर्णबहुलां छित्वा शाखां सुपुष्पिताम्4.5.19।।सालस्यास्तीर्य सुग्रीवो निषसाद सराघवः।

Transliteration

tatas suparṇa-bahulāṁ chitvā śākhāṁ supuṣpitām || 4.5.19 ||

sālasya āstīrya sugrīvo niṣasāda sa-rāghavaḥ |

Translation

Daraufhin hieb Sugrīva einen üppig blühenden, laubreichen Zweig des Śāla-Baumes ab, breitete ihn aus und setzte sich dort mit Rāghava nieder.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय, कालार्थक

• suparṇa-bahulām: thick with leaves
• suparṇa-bahulām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-parṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + bahula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (abounding in good leaves), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'śākhām')

• chitvā: having cut
• chitvā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: chid (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (having cut)

• śākhām: branch
• śākhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śākhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• supuṣpitām: well-blossomed
• supuṣpitām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-puṣpita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle: 'well-flowered'), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• sālasya: of a sāla tree
• sālasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (Genitive, Singular)

• āstīrya: having spread
• āstīrya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√stṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वक्रिया (having spread)

• sugrīvaḥ: Sugriva
• sugrīvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• niṣasāda: sat down
• niṣasāda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√sad (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• sa-rāghavaḥ: together with Raghava
• sa-rāghavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (with Raghava), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying 'sugrīvaḥ')

Context

'This Rama of great-wisdom and valour, endowed with the power of truth has arrived here along with his brother Lakshmana.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Śāla tree (sāla)

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as maryādā in conduct—hospitality and respectful seating after a pact, showing that ethical relationships are maintained through small, proper actions.

What is the narrative situation?

After the alliance is sealed, Sugrīva prepares a simple seat from a flowering branch and sits with Rāma, transitioning from ritual to counsel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courtesy and care: Sugrīva’s gesture reflects respect for his new friend and readiness to proceed responsibly.