Shloka 27

हनूमत्संवादः / Hanuman’s Diplomatic Approach to Rama and Lakshmana

Devanagari script

तमभ्यभाष सौमित्रे सुग्रीवसचिवं कपिम्।वाक्यज्ञं मधुरैर्वाक्यैस्स्नेहयुक्तमरिन्दम।।।।

Transliteration

tam abhyabhāṣa saumitre sugrīva-sacivaṃ kapim | vākyajñaṃ madhurair vākyaiḥ snehayuktam arindama ||

Translation

«Oh Saumitri, vencedor de enemigos: este mono es el ministro de Sugrīva, diestro en la palabra y que habla con afecto. Respóndele con palabras suaves y dulces.»

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अभ्यभाष: addressed/spoke to
• अभ्यभाष: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-√भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सौमित्रे: O Saumitri
• सौमित्रे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौमित्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• सुग्रीवसचिवम्: Sugriva’s minister
• सुग्रीवसचिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुग्रीव + सचिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सुग्रीवस्य सचिवः)

• कपिम्: the monkey
• कपिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वाक्यज्ञम्: skilled in speech
• वाक्यज्ञम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक्यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः

• मधुरैः: with pleasant
• मधुरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘with sweet/pleasant’

• वाक्यैः: words
• वाक्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• स्नेहयुक्तम्: friendly/affectionate
• स्नेहयुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्नेह + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्नेहेन युक्तः); ‘युक्त’ = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• अरिन्दम: O subduer of enemies
• अरिन्दम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरि + दम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अरिं दमयति)

Context

'O Saumitri, conqueror of enemies! this monkey, Sugriva's minister, is skilled in friendly communication. Reply to him in words gentle and sweet.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Sugriva
• Hanuman

FAQs

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

Dharma of vāg-dharma (righteous speech): even in uncertainty, one should respond with courtesy, restraint, and sweetness—speech that supports truth and harmony.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama instructs Lakshmana on how to respond to Hanuman, recognizing him as Sugriva’s capable minister.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s diplomatic restraint and Lakshmana’s disciplined obedience—strength guided by etiquette.