Shloka 4.1.79

पम्पा-तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka

Devanagari script

अङ्कोलाश्च कुरण्टाश्च चूर्णकाः पारिभद्रकाः।चूताः पाटलयश्चैव कोविदाराश्च पुष्पिताः।।।।मुचुकुन्दार्जुनाश्चैव दृश्यन्ते गिरिसानुषु।केतकोद्दालकाश्चैव शिरीषाः शिंशुपा धवाः।।।।

Transliteration

adhikaṃ pravibhāty etan nīlapītaṃ tu śādvalam |

drumāṇāṃ vividhaiḥ puṣpaiḥ paristomair ivārpitam ||

Translation

This bluish-yellow grassy ground shines all the more, as though a carpet were spread upon it with the many kinds of flowers fallen from the trees.

Context

'There are trees like ankola, kuranta, churnaka, paribhadraka, mango, patali, kovidara, muchukunda, arjuna, ketaka, uddalaka, shirisha, shimshupa and shava, all in full bloom on the mountain peaks.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Pampā (implied by sarga context)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is indirect: Rāma’s disciplined attention to the world around him reflects steadiness and truthful perception (satya-darśana). Even in grief, he observes and speaks without distortion, modeling inner restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are near Lake Pampā in Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa, seeing spring’s beauty while Rāma remains inwardly afflicted by separation from Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s sensitivity joined with composure: he perceives beauty clearly while carrying sorrow without abandoning self-control.