Shloka 4.39.17

वानरसेनामिलनम् / The Mustering of the Vanara Hosts

Devanagari script

पद्मकेसरसङ्काशस्तरुणार्कनिभाननः।बुद्धिमान्वानरश्रेष्ठस्सर्ववानरसत्तमः।।4.39.17।।अनेकैर्बहुसाहस्रैर्वानराणां समन्वितः।पिता हनुमतश्रशीमान्केसरी प्रत्यदृश्यत।।4.39.18।।

Transliteration

padmakeśarasaṅkāśas taruṇārkanibhānanaḥ |

buddhimān vānaraśreṣṭhaḥ sarvavānarasattamaḥ || 4.39.17 ||

Translation

His hue was like lotus filaments, his face like the young sun—wise, the foremost of monkeys, the best among all vānaras.

Context

Then arrived Kesari, the wise and illustrious monkey, foremost and the best among vanaras, father of Hanuman. He was of the colour of lotus filaments and his countenance was red like the early morning Sun. He was accompanied by many thousands of monkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Kesari (introduced in next verse as the referent of these epithets)

FAQs

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

Dharma esteems wisdom and excellence used for rightful ends: the ideal leader is not merely strong, but बुद्धिमान (wise) and directed toward truth.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator describes the distinguished qualities and appearance of a great vānara leader, preparing for his identification as Keśarī.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Buddhi (discernment) allied with eminence—model leadership grounded in intelligence and moral purpose.