Shloka 5

रावण-सारथि-संवादः

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

Devanagari script

त्वयाद्यहिममानार्य चिरकालसमार्जितम् ।यशोवीर्यं च तेजश्चप्रत्ययश्चविनाशितः ।।।।

Transliteration

tvayādya hi mamānārya cirakālasamārjitam | yaśo vīryaṃ ca tejaś ca pratyayaś ca vināśitaḥ ||

Translation

Durch dich heute, du Unedler, sind mein Ruhm, meine Tapferkeit, mein Glanz und das in mich gesetzte Vertrauen, über lange Zeit erworben, zunichtegemacht.

Word by Word

• prakhyātavīryasya: of (me) whose valor is renowned
• prakhyātavīryasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prakhyāta-vīrya (प्रातिपदिक; prakhyāta + vīrya)
• Form: prakhyāta = pra-√khyā (ख्याः) + क्त; Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Gen/6th), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of mama/aham implied

• rañjanīyasya: of (me) worthy of praise/pleasing
• rañjanīyasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rañjanīya (प्रातिपदिक; √rañj + अनीयर्)
• Form: Future passive participle/gerundive (अनीयर्), Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• vikramaiḥ: by exploits
• vikramaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Ins/3rd), Bahuvacana

• paśyataḥ: as (I) watched
• paśyataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya present participle (शतृ), Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Gen/6th), Ekavacana; ‘while I was watching’

• yuddhalubdhaḥ: eager for war
• yuddhalubdhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuddha-lubdha (प्रातिपदिक; yuddha + lubdha)
• Form: lubdha = √lubh (लुभ्) + क्त; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of aham

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Prathamā, Ekavacana

• kṛtam: made/done
• kṛtam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: PPP (क्त), Napuṃsakliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate with implied ‘etat’

• kāpuruṣaḥ: a coward
• kāpuruṣaḥ: Pradhāna (प्रधान/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kā-puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate-noun for aham

• tvayā: by you
• tvayā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

Context

"O evil minded one! My fame, glory, valiance and bravery earned over a long period has been wiped out by you."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sārathi (charioteer)
• yaśas (fame)
• tejas (splendor)

FAQs

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

It underlines the dharmic importance of protecting earned trust and reputation through appropriate action; careless conduct can undo long-established credibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa claims the charioteer’s withdrawal has publicly damaged his standing in the battle against Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reliability (pratyaya) as a social virtue: leaders and their agents must act so that trust is preserved rather than squandered.