Shloka 23

The Origin of Rāvaṇa

Devanagari script

आरुह्य पितरौ द्रष्टुं प्रायाच्छोभासमन्वितः । स्वगणैः संस्तुतो भूत्वा नानारत्नविभूषणैः

Transliteration

āruhya pitarau draṣṭuṃ prāyācchobhāsamanvitaḥ | svagaṇaiḥ saṃstuto bhūtvā nānāratnavibhūṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

Ascending it, he set out to behold his parents, radiant with splendor—praised by his own attendants and adorned with ornaments of many kinds of jewels.

Word by Word

• आरुह्य: having mounted
• आरुह्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), 'having mounted/ascended'

• पितरौ: the two parents
• पितरौ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), द्विवचन (Accusative dual)

• द्रष्टुम्: to see
• द्रष्टुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), 'to see'

• प्रायात्: he went
• प्रायात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-या (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular imperfect): 'went forth'

• शोभा-समन्वितः: endowed with splendor
• शोभा-समन्वितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोभा (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, सम्+अन्वि/इ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (śobhāyāḥ samanvitaḥ = 'endowed with splendor'); विशेषणम् (of implied subject)

• स्व-गणैः: by his own attendants
• स्व-गणैः: Karana (Instrument/Agentive accompaniment/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (svāḥ gaṇāḥ = 'his own attendants')

• संस्तुतः: praised
• संस्तुतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-स्तु (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive): 'having become'

• नाना-रत्न-विभूषणैः: with various jeweled ornaments
• नाना-रत्न-विभूषणैः: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + विभूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (ratnaiḥ vibhūṣaṇāni = 'ornaments of gems', with 'nānā' = various)

Speaker

Narrator (contextual speaker not specified in the provided excerpt; commonly within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame in Padma Purāṇa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Filial devotion (pitṛ-sevā) is a luminous dharma; external splendor is secondary to the intention of honoring one’s sources of life and guidance.

Application: Make time to visit/care for parents or elders; approach them with respect rather than entitlement—let achievements become offerings, not ego.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A jeweled traveler ascends a radiant conveyance, attendants singing praises while holding fly-whisks and banners. The composition contrasts glittering ornaments with the traveler’s focused gaze toward a distant ancestral home, suggesting duty guiding magnificence.","primary_figures":["traveler/son","attendants (gaṇa)","musicians/chanters"],"setting":"sky-terrace or palace launch platform opening into the heavens","lighting_mood":"golden dawn with ceremonial brilliance","color_palette":["sunrise gold","saffron","turquoise","garnet red","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ceremonial ascent scene with the central figure richly ornamented, attendants in symmetrical arrangement, gold-leaf halos and embossed jewelry; architectural pillars with red/green enamel tones; devotional dignity in posture and gaze.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined palace terrace with delicate textiles, attendants singing with small cymbals; soft dawn sky gradient; jewels indicated by fine dots; emphasis on lyrical movement toward the horizon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized ornaments and attendants, rhythmic repetition of gem patterns; warm yellow and red dominance; temple mural compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: processional feel—attendants in rows, floral borders, lotus medallions; deep blue background with gold highlights; ornamental density echoing textile tradition."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["hand cymbals","soft drum (mridangam)","chanting retinue","wind"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रायाच्छोभासमन्वितः = प्रायात् + शोभा-समन्वितः (त् + श → च्छ); स्वगणैः = स्व + गणैः; नानारत्नविभूषणैः = नाना + रत्न + विभूषणैः.

FAQs

What is the central action described in this verse?

The subject mounts (a conveyance) and departs to visit his parents, accompanied by a praising retinue and wearing jeweled ornaments.

Does this verse teach an ethical or devotional lesson?

Implicitly, it highlights filial regard—making the effort to go and see one’s parents—presented within a narrative scene of honor and auspiciousness.

Why are “retinue” and “jewel-ornaments” mentioned?

They signal status and auspicious splendor, portraying the traveler as honored and radiant while setting out on an important visit.