Shloka 11

पञ्चवटी-निवासः

Settlement at Pañcavaṭī and Construction of the Hermitage

Devanagari script

इयमादित्यसङ्काशैः पद्मैस्सुरभिगन्धिभिः।अदूरे दृश्यते रम्या पद्मिनी पद्मशोभिता।।।।

Transliteration

iyam ādityasaṅkāśaiḥ padmaiḥ surabhigandhibhiḥ |

adūre dṛśyate ramyā padminī padmaśobhitā || 3.15.11 ||

Translation

«Non loin d’ici se voit un charmant étang de lotus, orné de fleurs qui resplendissent comme le soleil et répandent un doux parfum.»

Word by Word

• iyam: this (she/this one)
• iyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (प्रथमा/1st case), Ekavacana (एकवचन); sarvanāma (pronoun)

• ādityasaṅkāśaiḥ: with (lotuses) shining like the sun
• ādityasaṅkāśaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āditya + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (तृतीया/3rd case), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); viśeṣaṇa (adjective) to padmaiḥ; samāsa: ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa (आदित्यस्य सङ्काशाः = like the sun)

• padmaiḥ: with lotuses
• padmaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकliṅga (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (तृतीया/3rd case), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• surabhigandhibhiḥ: with sweet fragrance
• surabhigandhibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: surabhi + gandhin (प्रातिपदिक; समास/उपपद)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Tṛtīyā (तृतीया/3rd case), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); viśeṣaṇa to padmaiḥ; karmadhāraya: surabhiḥ gandhaḥ yeṣām (pleasant-fragrant)

• adūre: not far away
• adūre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय) used adverbially; ‘not far’ (nearby)

• dṛśyate: is seen
• dṛśyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्/Present), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष/3rd person), Ekavacana (एकवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद); karmaṇi-prayoga (कर्मणि/Passive)

• ramyā: beautiful
• ramyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (प्रथमा/1st case), Ekavacana (एकवचन); viśeṣaṇa to padminī

• padminī: lotus-pond
• padminī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padminī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (प्रथमा/1st case), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• padmaśobhitā: adorned with lotuses
• padmaśobhitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: padma + śobhita (कृदन्त; समास)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (प्रथमा/1st case), Ekavacana (एकवचन); viśeṣaṇa to padminī; kṛdanta: śobhita (क्त/PPP) from √śubh/√śobh (शुभ्/शोभ्) ‘adorned’; samāsa: tatpuruṣa (padmaiḥ śobhitā)

Context

On reaching Panchavati, which was full of various vicious animals, Rama said to Lakshmana, his brother who was glowing like fire:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Padminī (lotus-pond)
• Pañcavaṭī (implied setting)

FAQs

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

Dharma as harmonious living: the āśrama ideal values purity, beauty, and sustainable proximity to water and nature—supporting a life of restraint and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

While planning the hermitage, Rāma points out a nearby lotus-pond, highlighting the suitability and serenity of the place.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s contemplative discernment: he chooses a setting conducive to righteous living, not merely strategic survival.