Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 9

सरमा-सीता संवादः

Saramā Consoles Sītā; Preparations in Laṅkā

Devanagari script

नशक्यंसौप्तिकंकर्तुंरामस्यविदितात्मनः ।वधश्चपुरुषव्याघ्रेतस्मिन्नैवोपपद्यते ।।।।

Transliteration

na śakyaṃ sauptikaṃ kartuṃ rāmasya viditātmanaḥ | vadhaś ca puruṣavyāghre tasmin naivopapadyate ||

Translation

Es ist nicht möglich, Rāma, den Kenner des Selbst, durch einen heimlichen Angriff im Schlaf zu töten; ja, selbst der Tod ziemt sich nicht für diesen Tiger unter den Menschen.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, Adversative particle (विरोध/तु)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle

• vānaraḥ: the vanaras
• vānaraḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2), Plural (बहुवचन); object of hantuṃ

• hantum: to kill
• hantum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: han (हन् धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), Avyaya usage

• śakyāḥ: able
• śakyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; predicate adjective (understood 'they are not able')

• pādapayodhipāḥ: tree-wielding warriors (vanaras)
• pādapayodhipāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pādapa (प्रातिपदिक) + yodhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: pādapaiḥ yodhipāḥ (fighters with trees); Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; subject of implied 'are able'

• surāḥ: the gods
• surāḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; standard of comparison

• devarṣabheṇa: by the bull among gods
• devarṣabheṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: devānām ṛṣabhaḥ; Masculine, Instrumental (3), Singular; refers to Rama

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparison particle

• rāmeṇa: by Rama
• rāmeṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3), Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle

• surakṣitāḥ: well-protected
• surakṣitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-√rakṣ (रक्ष् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; qualifies vānaraḥ (understood)

Context

"Rama is a knower of his Self. It is not possible to kill him while he is asleep. Nay death is not possible for he is a tiger among men."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma rejects treachery: the verse contrasts righteous heroism with dishonorable killing (a sleep-attack), and affirms that the dharmic protector (Rāma) is not easily overcome by adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā is anxious about Rāma’s fate; Saramā argues that a deceitful attempt to kill Rāma in sleep cannot succeed and is not consonant with his stature.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s self-mastery (viditātman) and heroic steadfastness—inner discipline supporting outer protection of dharma.