Shloka 54

वर्षावर्णनम्

The Monsoon Description and Rama’s Counsel on Timing

Devanagari script

मासि प्रोष्ठपदे ब्रह्म ब्राह्मणानां विवक्षताम्।अयमध्यायसमयस्सामगानामुपस्थितः।।

Transliteration

māsi proṣṭhapade brahma brāhmaṇānāṃ vivakṣatām | ayam adhyāya-samayaḥ sāmagānām upasthitaḥ ||

Translation

In the month of Proṣṭhapada, O venerable one, the season has arrived for brahmins who wish to recite the Veda; and for the chanters of the Sāma, the proper time of study is now present.

Word by Word

• मासि: in the month
• मासि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• प्रोष्ठपदे: in Proṣṭhapada (Bhādrapada)
• प्रोष्ठपदे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रोष्ठपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; मास-नाम

• ब्रह्म: the Veda (sacred lore)
• ब्रह्म: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वेद-वाचक

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of brahmins
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• विवक्षताम्: of those wishing to recite
• विवक्षताम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + वच् (वच् धातु) + तुमुन्/शतृ? (इच्छार्थे)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन; इच्छार्थक-प्रयोगः—‘विवक्षत्’ (desiring to speak/recite) इति शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्तस्य षष्ठी बहुवचन

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अध्यायसमयः: time for study/recitation
• अध्यायसमयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्याय + समय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—अध्यायस्य समयः (time for study/recitation)

• सामगानाम्: of Sāma-chanters
• सामगानाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘साम’ गायत इति

• उपस्थितः: has arrived, has begun
• उपस्थितः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्ता-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप + स्था (स्था धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

Context

'The month of Bhadrapada meant for the recitation of the Vedas by brahmins and for those desirous of singing Sama Veda has started.

Characters & Entities

• brāhmaṇa
• brahma (Veda)

FAQs

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

Dharma is living by right timing and sacred discipline: learning and recitation follow regulated seasons, preserving truth (satya) through faithful transmission.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma marks the monsoon calendar by noting the traditional period for Vedic study and chanting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Cultural rootedness and reverence for śāstra: Rāma’s awareness of Vedic rhythms reflects inner discipline.