Shloka 22

सुवेलारोहणं रावण-सुग्रीव-नियुद्धम्

Ascent of Suvela and the Ravana–Sugriva Duel

Devanagari script

तौपरस्परमासाद्ययत्तावन्योन्यसूदने ।मार्जाराविवभक्ष्यार्थेऽवितस्थातेमुहुर्मुहुः ।।।।

Transliteration

tau parasparam āsādya yattāv anyonyasūdane |

mārjārāv iva bhakṣyārthe vitasthāte muhur muhuḥ ||

Translation

Aufeinander zustürmend, begierig, den anderen zu vernichten, sprangen sie immer wieder vor und zurück – wie Katzen, die um Beute kreisen, um sie zu fressen.

Word by Word

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• परस्परम्: mutually
• परस्परम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावप्राय प्रयोग; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): mutually

• आसाद्य: having approached
• आसाद्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√सद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive); धातु: सद्, उपसर्ग: आ; अर्थ: having approached/attacked

• यत्तौ: intent/striving (the two)
• यत्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषणम् (intent/striving)

• अन्योन्यसूदने: for mutual destruction
• अन्योन्यसूदने: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्योन्य + सूदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: अन्योन्य-सूदन (mutual slaying); नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (locative: 'in/for mutual destruction' i.e., with intent)

• मार्जारौ: two cats
• मार्जारौ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्जार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Upamā (उपमा-marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय (comparative particle)

• भक्ष्यार्थे: for the sake of food
• भक्ष्यार्थे: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ष्य + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: भक्ष्य-अर्थ (for food); पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (locative of purpose)

• अवितस्थाते: (they two) paused/stood
• अवितस्थाते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; आत्मनेपद; धातु: स्था, उपसर्ग: वि; अर्थ: (they two) stood apart/paused

• मुहुः: again
• मुहुः: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुहुः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• मुहुः: and again
• मुहुः: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुहुः (अव्यय)
• Form: पुनरुक्ति (reduplication) for emphasis

Context

Both of them intent on destroying each other were approaching one another and now and then growling like cats for the sake of food.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how desire to destroy (hiṃsā-driven intent) can reduce combat to predatory frenzy; dharma calls for purpose-bound action guided by justice, not mere appetite for harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva and Rāvaṇa repeatedly close, feint, and reposition, each seeking an opening to finish the other.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and agility—though framed with a cautionary image of predatory intent.