Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 2

Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 32

Sītā’s Perplexity and Recognition of Hanumān

Devanagari script

सा ददर्श कपिं तत्र प्रश्रितं प्रियवादिनम्।फुल्लाशोकोत्कराभासं तप्तचामीकरेक्षणम्।।।।

Transliteration

sā dadarśa kapiṁ tatra praśritaṁ priyavādinam |

phullāśokotkarābhāsaṁ taptacāmīkarekṣaṇam ||

Translation

Dort erblickte sie einen Kapi, der sich demütig näherte und mit lieblichen Worten sprach — strahlend wie ein Büschel voll erblühter Aśoka-Blüten, mit Augen, die wie geschmolzenes Gold glänzten.

Word by Word

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• dadarśa: saw
• dadarśa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम

• kapim: the monkey (Hanuman)
• kapim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (locative adverb)

• praśritam: humbly approaching
• praśritam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśrita (प्रातिपदिक; from √śri/śray)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'approached/come near, humble' (qualifies kapim)

• priyavādinam: sweet-speaking
• priyavādinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya-vādin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: प्रिय + वादिन् (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष: 'speaking pleasantly'); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• phullāśoka-utkara-ābhāsam: shining like a mass of blossomed aśoka
• phullāśoka-utkara-ābhāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phulla-aśoka-utkara-ābhāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: फुल्ल + अशोक + उत्कर + आभास (determinative: 'having the appearance of a heap of blossomed aśoka'); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• tapta-cāmīkara-īkṣaṇam: with eyes like molten gold
• tapta-cāmīkara-īkṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tapta-cāmīkara-īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तप्त + चामीकर + ईक्षण (determinative: 'having eyes like molten gold'); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Context

"I am tormented by intense love for Rama, with all my thoughts immersed in him. Since I am constantly thinking of him I see him and hear words about him. (She thinks it is all hallucination.)

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Kapi (Hanumān)
• Aśoka (tree/flowers)

FAQs

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

Dharma is suggested through vinaya (humility) and priyavacana (gentle speech): righteous intent is expressed through respectful conduct, especially when approaching someone in distress.

What is the narrative situation?

In Laṅkā’s aśoka grove, Sītā first notices Hanumān approaching and speaking softly, but she is still uncertain and fearful.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s humility and courteous speech—qualities that support trust and truthful communication.