Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 16

सप्तदशः सर्गः — देवसंवादः तथा वानर-ऋक्ष-उत्पत्तिः

Divine Council and the Generation of Vanara Allies

Devanagari script

ते सृष्टा बहुसाहस्रा दशग्रीववधे रता:।अप्रमेयबला वीरा विक्रान्ता: कामरूपिण:।।।।

Transliteration

te sṛṣṭā bahu-sāhasrā daśagrīva-vadhe ratāḥ | aprameya-balā vīrā vikrāntāḥ kāma-rūpiṇaḥ ||

Translation

Ainsi furent créés des milliers innombrables : des héros voués à la mise à mort de Daśagrīva, d’une force incommensurable, hardis au combat et capables de prendre la forme à volonté.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; सर्वनाम; Nominative plural pronoun

• सृष्टाः: created
• सृष्टाः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सृष्ट (कृदन्त; √सृज्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; Nominative plural masculine

• बहुसाहस्राः: many-thousand in number
• बहुसाहस्राः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + साहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषण; समासः (बहूनि साहस्राणि येषाम्) बहुव्रीहि-प्राय/तत्पुरुष-प्रयोग; Nominative plural masculine

• दशग्रीववधे: in the slaying of Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa)
• दशग्रीववधे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक) + वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दशग्रीवस्य वधः); Locative singular

• रताः: engaged, devoted
• रताः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (कृदन्त; √रम्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त/क्त; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; ‘रत’ = engaged/delighting; Nominative plural masculine

• अप्रमेयबलाः: of immeasurable strength
• अप्रमेयबलाः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप्रमेय (कृदन्त; √मा with प्र + अ) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषण; बहुव्रीहि (अप्रमेयं बलं येषाम्); Nominative plural masculine

• वीराः: heroes, warriors
• वीराः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; Nominative plural

• विक्रान्ताः: valiant, mighty
• विक्रान्ताः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विक्रान्त (कृदन्त; √क्रम् with वि)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त/क्त; प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; Nominative plural masculine

• कामरूपिणः: able to assume forms at will
• कामरूपिणः: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषण; समासः (कामेन रूपं येषाम्/कामरूपं धारयन्ति) तत्पुरुष; Nominative plural masculine

Context

Thousands of warriors possessing immeasurable strength and courage and capable of assuming any form at will were created to kill Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma may require organized, collective effort against entrenched adharma: the creation of thousands signifies that righteousness is defended through unity and disciplined purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

The text summarizes the mass creation of powerful shape-shifting warriors destined to participate in Rāvaṇa’s defeat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and resolve—directed toward a just end rather than personal gain.