Shloka 1

अभिज्ञानप्रदानम्

The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled

Devanagari script

ततस्स कपिशार्दूलस्तेन वाक्येन तोषितः।सीतामुवाच तच्छृत्वा वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः।।5.38.1।।

Transliteration

tatas sa kapiśārdūlas tena vākyena toṣitaḥ |

sītām uvāca tac chrutvā vākyaṁ vākyaviśāradaḥ ||

Translation

Da sprach der Tiger unter den Affen, kundig in der Rede, von ihren Worten erfreut; nachdem er sie vernommen hatte, zu Sītā.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); pronoun (सर्वनाम)

• kapiśārdūlaḥ: the tiger among monkeys (Hanuman)
• kapiśārdūlaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapi + śārdūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (kapiṇāṃ śārdūlaḥ = tiger among monkeys)

• tena: by that
• tena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; pronoun (सर्वनाम)

• vākyena: by the words/speech
• vākyena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• toṣitaḥ: pleased
• toṣitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tuṣ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृदन्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; ‘pleased/contented’

• sītām: Sita
• sītām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; pronoun used adjectivally

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), avyaya; ‘having heard’

• vākyam: speech, words
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vākyaviśāradaḥ: skilled in speech
• vākyaviśāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vākya + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष (vākye viśāradaḥ = skilled in speech)

Context

Satisfied with the words of Sita, the tiger among monkeys, who was eloquent in speech said:

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma in communication: truthful, timely, and respectful speech is presented as a virtue enabling righteous action and trust.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing Sītā’s urgent message, Hanumān prepares to reply and guide the next steps of rescue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s eloquence and disciplined counsel—using speech as a tool in service of dharma.