Shloka 5

शुकवाक्यं (Śuka’s Report on the Vānara Host) / Śuka Describes the Allied Forces to Rāvaṇa

Devanagari script

एतेसुग्रीवसचिवाःकिष्किन्धानिलयास्सदा ।हरयोदेवगन्धर्वैरुत्पन्नाःकामरूपिणः ।।6.28.5।।

Transliteration

ete sugrīvasacivāḥ kiṣkindhānilayāḥ sadā | harayo devagandharvairutpannāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ ||

Translation

Dies sind die Affen, Sugrīvas Ratgeber, die stets in Kiṣkindhā wohnen; aus himmlischen Göttern und Gandharvas hervorgegangen, besitzen sie die Gabe, nach Belieben ihre Gestalt zu wandeln.

Word by Word

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सुग्रीवसचिवाः: Sugriva's ministers/allies
• सुग्रीवसचिवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक) + सचिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (सुग्रीवस्य सचिवाः); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• किष्किन्धानिलयाः: dwelling in Kiṣkindhā
• किष्किन्धानिलयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: किष्किन्धा (प्रातिपदिक) + निलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (किष्किन्धायां निलयः येषाम्/किष्किन्धा-निवासिनः); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सदा: always
• सदा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• हरयः: monkeys/vanaras
• हरयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• देवगन्धर्वैः: by gods and gandharvas
• देवगन्धर्वैः: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: द्वन्द्व (देवाश्च गन्धर्वाश्च); पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण/हेतु-भावे ‘by/from’

• उत्पन्नाः: born/arisen
• उत्पन्नाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत् + पद् (धातु) → उत्पन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; predicate adjective

• कामरूपिणः: shape-shifters at will
• कामरूपिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Context

"These are allies of Sugriva ever residing at Kishkinda. They are born to celestial gods and Gandharvas and can change their form at their will."

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• Kishkindha
• Devas
• Gandharvas

FAQs

Who is the speaker of this verse and whom are they addressing?

The verse is spoken by Sarana, a spy of Ravana, addressing King Ravana while describing the opposing Vanara army.

What are the unique characteristics of the Vanaras mentioned in this verse?

The Vanaras are described as 'Kamarupinah' (capable of changing form at will) and are of divine origin, born from Devas and Gandharvas.