Shloka 20

रावण-सारथि-संवादः

Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct

Devanagari script

उपयानापयाने च स्थानंप्रत्यपसर्पणम् ।सर्वमेतद्रथस्थेनज्ञेयंरथकुटुम्भिना ।।।।

Transliteration

upayānāpayāne ca sthānaṃ pratyapasarpaṇam |

sarvam etad ratha-sthena jñeyaṃ ratha-kuṭumbhinā ||

Translation

Vorrücken und Zurückziehen, Stellung halten und Zurückfallen – jedes dieser Manöver muss von demjenigen verstanden werden, der auf dem Wagen stationiert ist, dem Wagenlenker, dem die Verantwortung für den Wagen übertragen wurde.

Word by Word

• upayāna: approach/advance
• upayāna: Karma (कर्म) (as item to be known)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upayāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन) (paired with apayāne as dvandva-like coordination without compound)

• apayāne: retreat/withdrawal
• apayāne: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apayāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन) (coordinated with upayāna)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) (connective)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• sthānam: standing still/position
• sthānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• pratyapasarpaṇam: moving back/withdrawing
• pratyapasarpaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praty-apa-sarpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); action-noun (भाववाचक) from √sṛp (सृप्) with prefixes prati+apa

• sarvam: all
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying etat

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun

• rathasthena: by one stationed on the chariot
• rathasthena: Karana (करण) (agent-instrument: by one stationed on the chariot)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha-stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ratha + stha = 'standing/being on the chariot'

• jñeyam: should be known
• jñeyam: Vidheyabhāva (विधेयभाव) (predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा) + ya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory passive participle (भाव्य/कर्तव्य), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'to be known'

• rathakuṭumbhinā: by a chariot-expert (charioteer)
• rathakuṭumbhinā: Karana (करण) (by the chariot-expert/charioteer)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha-kuṭumbhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ratha + kuṭumbhin = 'one belonging to/versed in the chariot (profession)'

Context

"To hold the chariot or advance, to go near the (enemy) or retreat, to return back or advance, everything should be known to the charioteer."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• charioteer (sārathi/sūta)
• chariot (ratha)

FAQs

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

Svadharma (duty according to one’s role): a charioteer’s righteousness lies in skilled, safety-minded maneuvering for the warrior’s welfare.

What is the narrative situation?

The charioteer explains battlefield driving principles—advance, retreat, hold, and reposition—as part of his professional responsibility.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Competence and steadiness (dakṣatā, dhairya) in service—doing what is required even under pressure.