Shloka 1.3.34

तृतीयः सर्गः (Bālakāṇḍa 3): Vālmīki’s Yogic Verification and the Epic Synopsis

Devanagari script

सङ्गमं च समुद्रेण नलसेतोश्च बन्धनम् ।प्रतारं च समुद्रस्य रात्रौ लङ्कावरोधनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

saṅgamaṃ ca samudreṇa nalasetoś ca bandhanam | pratāraṃ ca samudrasya rātrau laṅkāvarodhanam ||

Translation

(He narrates) the meeting with the Lord of the Sea, the building of Nala’s bridge, the crossing of the ocean, and the night-time siege of Laṅkā.

Context

(He described) the meeting with the (lord of the) seas, the construction of bridge byNala, the crossing of the ocean and the seige of Lanka during night.

Characters & Entities

• Samudra (Lord of the Sea)
• Nala
• Setu (bridge)
• Ocean
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Dharma of disciplined action: obstacles are addressed through rightful negotiation (with Samudra) and cooperative labor (bridge-building) rather than reckless force.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s army reaches the sea, engages with the sea-deity, constructs a bridge under Nala, crosses, and begins the siege of Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s leadership and restraint, and Nala’s skillful competence in service of a righteous goal.