Shloka 5

शरभङ्गाश्रमगमनम् तथा इन्द्रदर्शनम्

Approach to Sarabhanga’s Hermitage and the Vision of Indra

Devanagari script

विभ्राजमानं वपुषा सूर्यवैश्वानरोपमम्।अवरुह्यरथोत्सङ्गादाकाशे विबुधानुगम।।3.5.5।।असंस्पृशन्तं वसुधां ददर्श विबुधेश्वरम्।सुप्रभाभरणं देवं विरजोऽम्बरधारिणम्।।3.5.6।।तद्विधैरेव बहुभिः पूज्यमानं महात्मभिः।

Transliteration

vibhrājamānaṃ vapuṣā sūryavaiśvānaropamam |

avaruhya rathotsaṅgād ākāśe vibudhānugam || 3.5.5 ||

Translation

Rāma beheld in the sky the lord of the gods, radiant in form like the sun or blazing fire, descending from the seat of his chariot and attended by the celestials.

Word by Word

• विभ्राजमानम्: shining
• विभ्राजमानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + भ्राज् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle), शतृ-प्रत्यय (śatṛ), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (qualifier) of विबुधेश्वरम्/देवम् (understood)

• वपुषा: with (his) body
• वपुषा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वपुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• सूर्यवैश्वानरोपमम्: like the Sun and (sacred) fire
• सूर्यवैश्वानरोपमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूर्य + वैश्वानर + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpuruṣa: सूर्य-वैश्वानरयोः उपमम्/सदृशम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण

• अवरुह्य: having descended
• अवरुह्य: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अव + रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial to main verb ददर्श)

• रथोत्सङ्गात्: from the chariot-seat/lap
• रथोत्सङ्गात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ + उत्सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpuruṣa: रथस्य उत्सङ्गः), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• आकाशे: in the sky
• आकाशे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• विबुधानुगम्: followed by the gods
• विबुधानुगम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विबुध + अनुग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpuruṣa: विबुधानाम् अनुगः), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (of विबुधेश्वरम्/देवम्)

Context

Rama saw the lord of the gods (Indra) in the sky getting off the chariot, with his body shining brightly like the sun or the fire, followed by the gods, his feet untouched by the earth. Clad in spotless attire and adorned with shining ornaments, he was being worshipped by many great-souls like him.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Indra (implied as vibudheśvara in the contiguous passage)
• Chariot (ratha)

FAQs

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

Dharma is implied through cosmic order: divine beings appear in response to sanctity and righteous austerity, indicating that moral-spiritual power draws rightful recognition.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma approaches the hermitage scene in Sarga 5, he witnesses a radiant divine presence descending in the sky with a celestial retinue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s reverent attentiveness and discernment—he observes the divine manifestation without arrogance, fitting his dhārmic disposition.