Shloka 18

शुकसारण-चारप्रवेशः

Suka and Sāraṇa’s Espionage and Release

Devanagari script

यदिदृष्टंबलंसर्वंवयंवासुपरिक्षिताः ।यथोक्तंवाकृतंकार्यछन्दतःप्रतिगम्यताम् ।।।।

Transliteration

yadi dṛṣṭaṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ vayaṃ vā suparīkṣitāḥ | yathoktaṃ vā kṛtaṃ kāryaṃ chandataḥ pratigamyatām ||

Translation

„Wenn ihr das ganze Heer gesehen habt oder uns gründlich geprüft habt; und wenn ihr die Aufgabe, wie gesagt, erfüllt habt — dann kehrt frei zurück, wie es euch beliebt.“

Word by Word

• āvām: we two
• āvām: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, उत्तमपुरुष, प्रथमा द्विवचन; 'we two'

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (here)

• āgatau: have come
• āgatau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-gam (धातु) > āgata (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; 'having come'

• saumya: O gentle one
• saumya: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; vocative

• rāvaṇa-prahitau: sent by Ravana
• rāvaṇa-prahitau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + prahita (कृदन्त from √hi with pra-)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (rāvaṇena prahitau), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; 'sent by Ravana'

• ubhau: both
• ubhau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; 'both'

• parijñātum: to ascertain
• parijñātum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-jñā (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), 'to ascertain/know fully'

• balam: army/strength
• balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; object of parijñātum

• sarvam: entire
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; qualifying balam

• tava: of you/your
• tava: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी एकवचन; genitive singular

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; qualifying balam (this)

• raghu-nandana: O delight of Raghu's line
• raghu-nandana: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raghu (प्रातिपदिक) + nandana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; तत्पुरुष (raghoḥ nandanaḥ)

Context

After observing our entire army carefully, acting appropriately (according to Ravana's words) and accomplishing your task you may freely return (said Rama to the spies).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Śuka
• Sāraṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma in war: Rāma grants safe return to captured spies, showing restraint and adherence to maryādā—strength guided by righteousness rather than vengeance.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma, after learning their purpose, permits the spies to depart unharmed, effectively allowing them to report back.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Magnanimity and fearlessness—Rāma’s confidence and compassion allow him to release enemies without compromising dharma.