Shloka 19

शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp

Devanagari script

तानब्रवीत्ततोवाक्यंरावणोराक्षसाधिपः ।चारान्प्रत्यायितान् शूरान्भक्तान्विगतसाध्वसान् ।।।।

Transliteration

tān abravīt tato vākyaṃ rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ | cārān pratyāyitān śūrān bhaktān vigata-sādhvasān ||

Translation

Dann wandte sich Rāvaṇa, der Herr der Rākṣasas, an jene Späher — bewährt, tapfer, ergeben und ohne Furcht.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक (adverb of sequence)

• चाराः: spies
• चाराः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• संत्वरिताः: hastened
• संत्वरिताः: विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + √त्वर् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘hastened/quickened’

• प्राप्ताः: arrived
• प्राप्ताः: क्रियासमर्थ विशेषण/मुख्यभाव (Predicate participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + √आप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘arrived’

• पार्थिवशासनात्: from the king’s command
• पार्थिवशासनात्: अपादान (Apadana/Source-cause: ‘from/by order’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक) + शासन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध: ‘पार्थिवस्य शासनम्’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• उपस्थिताः: stood present
• उपस्थिताः: क्रियासमर्थ विशेषण (Predicate participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + √स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘stood present/appeared’

• प्राञ्जलयः: with folded hands
• प्राञ्जलयः: विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण—‘अञ्जलिं कृत्वा’ (with folded hands)

• वर्धयित्वा: having acclaimed
• वर्धयित्वा: पूर्वकाल क्रिया (Purvakala-kriya/gerundial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृध् (धातु) णिच् (causative) + त्वा (अव्ययभाव)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having praised/increased (by saying…)’

• जयशिषाः: with blessings of victory
• जयशिषाः: करण (Karana/Instrument: ‘with victory-blessings’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक) + शिष्/शिषा? (प्रातिपदिक: शिषा ‘blessing’)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘जयस्य शिषा’ = blessing of victory); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

Context

There upon the Lord of Rakshasas, spoke these words to those spies who are dependable ones, warriors devoid of fear of enemies.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas
• Spies (cāra)

FAQs

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

It frames ideals of loyalty and fearlessness in service; the Ramayana also warns that such virtues, when pledged to adharma, can magnify harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa begins giving instructions directly to the assembled spies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and steadfast loyalty (bhakti toward one’s lord), presented as valued qualities in royal agents.