Shloka 11

पम्पा-ऋष्यमूक-मार्गोपदेशः

Guidance to Pampa and Rishyamuka; counsel to befriend Sugriva

Devanagari script

अशर्करामविभ्रंशां समतीर्थामशैवलाम्।।3.73.11।।राम सञ्जातवालूकां कमलोत्पलशालिनीम्।

Transliteration

aśarkarām avibhraṃśāṃ samatīrthām aśaivalām |

rāma sañjātavālūkāṃ kamalotpalśālinīm || 3.73.11 ||

Translation

O Rāma, (Pampā) has banks free of stones and without treacherous slipping; its shores are even and unmossed, with soft sand formed along them, and it abounds in lotuses and water-lilies.

Word by Word

• अशर्कराम्: without pebbles/stones
• अशर्कराम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-शर्करा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/निषेध (without pebbles)

• अविभ्रंशाम्: not slippery
• अविभ्रंशाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-वि-भ्रंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-युक्त (not slippery/not crumbling)

• समतीर्थाम्: with level banks
• समतीर्थाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम-तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण — समं तीर्थं यस्याः (with even banks/landing-places)

• अशैवलाम्: without moss
• अशैवलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-शैवल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-युक्त (without algae/moss)

• राम: O Rama
• राम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• सञ्जातवालूकाम्: with sand formed (on the banks)
• सञ्जातवालूकाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सञ्जात-वालूका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण — सञ्जाता वालूका यस्याः (having formed sand-beds)

• कमलोत्पलशालिनीम्: abounding in lotuses and lilies
• कमलोत्पलशालिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कमल-उत्पल-शालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण — कमलैः उत्पलैः च शालिनी (abounding in lotuses and lilies)

Context

The slopes of Pampa are without stones or pebbles, O Rama ! They are not slippery slopes. They are without moss. The water is neither deep nor shallow. It has smooth beds of sand on the banks and it is full of lotuses and lilies.

Characters & Entities

• Kabandha
• Rāma
• Pampā
• kamala (lotus)
• utpala (water-lily)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes recognizing auspicious supports on a righteous path: nature is portrayed as orderly and beneficent, mirroring the idea that truthful striving is met with fitting conditions and guidance.

What is the narrative situation?

Kabandha reassures Rāma by describing Pampā as a safe, pleasant place—an encouraging stage on the journey to recover Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The emphasized virtue is steadiness of mind: the description calms and strengthens resolve by focusing attention on a clear next step.