Shloka 2

वानर-ऋक्ष-सेना-प्रशंसा

Cataloguing the Vanara and Bear Forces

Devanagari script

स्निग्धायस्यबहुव्यामावालालाङ्गूलमाश्रिताः ।ताम्राःपीतास्सिताश्श्वेताःप्रकीर्णाघोरकर्मणः ।।।।प्रगृहीताःप्रकाशन्तेसूर्यस्येवमरीचयः ।पृथिव्यांचानुकृष्यन्तेहरोनामैषयूथपः ।।।।

Transliteration

snigdhā yasya bahuvyāmā vālā lāṅgūlam āśritāḥ |

tāmrāḥ pītāḥ sitāḥ śvetāḥ prakīrṇā ghora-karmaṇaḥ ||6.27.2||

Translation

Sein Schweif ist mit glänzendem Haar bedeckt, viele Klafter lang; darin sind kupferrot, gelb, blass und weiß verstreut — Zeichen dessen, der furchtbare Taten vollbringt.

Word by Word

स्निग्धाःglossy/sleek

यस्यwhose

बहुव्यामाःmany-fathoms long

वालाःhairs/tails’ hairs

लाङ्गूलम्tail

आश्रिताःattached to; resting on

ताम्राःcopper-red

पीताःyellow

सिताःwhite

श्वेताःbright-white

प्रकीर्णाःscattered/spread out

घोरकर्मणःof the one of dreadful deeds

प्रगृहीताःseized/held

प्रकाशन्तेshine/appear bright

सूर्यस्यof the sun

इवlike/as

मरीचयःrays

पृथिव्याम्on the ground

चand

अनुकृष्यन्तेare dragged along

हरःHara

नामby name; called

एषःthis

यूथपःtroop-leader

Context

"One who is of terrific action, whose long tail with plenty of hair of different colours like red, white, yellow with shining ends shining like the scattered rays of the rising sun is holding and dragging on the ground is a leader known as Hara."

Characters & Entities

Hara (introduced in the following verse 6.27.3 as the named yūthapa)

lāṅgūla (tail)

FAQs

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

Dharma in counsel involves accurate observation and reporting. Describing the enemy’s signs and strength truthfully is part of responsible leadership and strategic integrity.

What is the narrative situation?

A Vānara commander is being visually identified through striking physical marks (notably the tail), as the opposing forces assemble near Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless capability: the description marks a warrior of formidable action, signaling readiness and power.