Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 30

रामलक्षणवर्णनम्

Description of Rama and Lakshmana; Alliance Narrative to Sita

Devanagari script

तावहं पुरुषव्याघ्रौ सुग्रीववचनात्प्रभू।रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः।।5.35.30।।

Transliteration

tāv ahaṃ puruṣavyāghrau sugrīvavacanāt prabhū |

rūpalakṣaṇasampannau kṛtāñjalir upasthitaḥ ||5.35.30||

Translation

So trat ich, auf Sugrīvas Geheiß, an jene beiden erhabenen Tiger unter den Menschen heran—von edler Gestalt und glückverheißenden Zeichen—mit gefalteten Händen in Ehrfurcht.

Word by Word

• tau: those two
• tau: Karma (कर्म/Object of approaching)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• puruṣavyāghrau: two tigers among men
• puruṣavyāghrau: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa + vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पुरुषाणां व्याघ्रौ), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), द्विवचन (Dual); tau इति विशेषणम्

• sugrīva-vacanāt: from Sugriva's instruction
• sugrīva-vacanāt: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान; cause/source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक) + vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सुग्रीवस्य वचनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन (Singular)

• prabhū: two lords
• prabhū: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), द्विवचन (Dual); tau इति विशेषण/सम्बोधनार्थ-प्रयोग (here as 'lords')

• rūpa-lakṣaṇa-sampannau: endowed with form and auspicious marks
• rūpa-lakṣaṇa-sampannau: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sampanna (√pad, पद्) (धातु-कृदन्त)
• Form: समासः द्वन्द्व (रूप-लक्षणे) + तत्पुरुष (ताभ्यां सम्पन्नः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), द्विवचन (Dual); tau इति विशेषणम्

• kṛtāñjaliḥ: with joined palms
• kṛtāñjaliḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (√kṛ, कृ) (धातु-कृदन्त) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः बहुव्रीहि (कृतः अञ्जलिः यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• upasthitaḥ: approached/presented myself
• upasthitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; predicate participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + √sthā (स्था) (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past active participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sugrīva
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is respectful conduct: even in uncertainty, one approaches others with humility and proper etiquette, seeking truth through right speech and demeanor.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān goes as Sugrīva’s envoy and meets Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, greeting them with reverence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and discernment: Hanumān recognizes noble qualities and responds with appropriate honor.