Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 29, Shloka 18

शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp

Devanagari script

महोदरस्तथोक्तस्तुशीघ्रमाज्ञापयच्चरान् ।।6.29.17।।ततश्चारास्संत्वरिताःप्राप्ताःपार्थिवशासनात् ।उपस्थिताःप्राञ्जलयोवर्धयित्वाजयशिषाः ।।6.29.18।।

Transliteration

tataś cārāḥ saṃtvaritāḥ prāptāḥ pārthiva-śāsanāt | upasthitāḥ prāñjalayo vardhayitvā jaya-śiṣāḥ ||

Translation

Thereupon, at the king’s command, the spies hurried in; standing with folded hands, they offered the blessing of victory and remained in attendance.

Word by Word

• महोदरः: Mahodara
• महोदरः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महोदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तथा: thus/so
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• उक्तः: having been addressed/told
• उक्तः: विशेषण (Predicate/qualifier of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having been told/said’

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/अन्वयार्थक

• शीघ्रम्: quickly
• शीघ्रम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शीघ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसकलिङ्ग एकवचन द्वितीया (accusative used adverbially)

• आज्ञापयत्: ordered
• आज्ञापयत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आज्ञा + √पय्/पि (धातु) causative of √ज्ञा? (आज्ञापयति)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; causative ‘ordered/commanded’

• चरान्: spies
• चरान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

Context

(Ravana) Having said so, Mahodara ordered the spies to approach the king quickly. On reaching they greeted the king with folded hand s promoting h i m to' be victorious' and stood.

Characters & Entities

• Spies (cāra)
• King (pārthiva = Rāvaṇa implied)

FAQs

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

It shows courtly decorum (maryādā) and disciplined service; outward respect is a social duty, but true dharma requires that service not support injustice.

What is the narrative situation?

Spies, summoned by royal order, arrive quickly and formally salute the king.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discipline and readiness in service (tatparatā) within royal administration.