Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 21

महोदर-वाक्यं कुम्भकर्ण-प्रतिषेधः

Mahodara’s Counsel and the Critique of Kumbhakarna’s Solo Assault

Devanagari script

दृष्टःकश्चदुपायोमेसीतोपस्थानकारकः ।रुचितश्चेत्स्वयाबुध्याराक्षसेन्द्र तंशृणु ।।।।

Transliteration

dṛṣṭaḥ kaścid upāyo me sītōpasthānakārakaḥ | rucitaś cet svayā buddhyā rākṣasendra taṃ śṛṇu ||

Translation

O King of the Demons! I have perceived a certain expedient that will bring Sītā to your presence (or make her accept you). If it appeals to your own intellect, listen to it.

Word by Word

• dṛṣṭaḥ: seen/found
• dṛṣṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with upāyaḥ

• kaścit: some
• kaścit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); indefinite pronoun

• upāyaḥ: means/plan
• upāyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• me: to me
• me: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive/Dative (6th/षष्ठी or 4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; here = dative of experiencer ('to me')

• sītā-upasthāna-kārakaḥ: bringing Sita to come/submit
• sītā-upasthāna-kārakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक) + upasthāna (प्रातिपदिक) + kāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः ('causing Sita's coming/approach')

• rucitaḥ: approved/pleasing
• rucitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rucita (प्रातिपदिक; from √ruc)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective ('pleasing/approved')

• cet: if
• cet: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: cet (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conditional particle ('if')

• svayā: by your own
• svayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; agrees with budhyā

• budhyā: intellect
• budhyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: buddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• rākṣasa-indra: O king of Rakshasas
• rākṣasa-indra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular; तत्पुरुषः ('king of Rakshasas')

• tam: that (plan)
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śṛṇu: listen
• śṛṇu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd Person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular; Parasmaipada

Context

"O King of Rakshasas! A means of bringing her round is known to me. Listen, think over with your intellect."

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Ravana

FAQs

Who is the speaker of this verse?

The verse is spoken by Mahodara, one of Ravana's ministers, offering advice on how to handle the situation with Sita.

What is the intent behind the 'means' (upāya) mentioned?

Mahodara is proposing a deceptive strategy to manipulate Sita into accepting Ravana, rather than fighting Rama directly or returning her immediately.