Shloka 24

शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम्

Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva

Devanagari script

नीलोत्पलदलश्यामाश्श्यामीकृत्वा दिशो दश।विमदा इव मातङ्गाश्शान्तवेगाः पयोधराः।।

Transliteration

nīlotpala-dala-śyāmāḥ śyāmīkṛtvā diśo daśa | vimadā iva mātaṅgāḥ śānta-vegāḥ payodharāḥ ||

Translation

Les nuées de pluie, sombres comme des pétales de lotus bleu et qui jadis obscurcissaient les dix directions, ont maintenant apaisé leur violence, telles des éléphants dont l’ivresse s’est dissipée.

Word by Word

• nīla-utpala-dala-śyāmāḥ: dark like blue-lotus petals
• nīla-utpala-dala-śyāmāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक) + utpala (प्रातिपदिक) + dala (प्रातिपदिक) + śyāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (multi-member): 'नीलोत्पलदलवत् श्यामाः' (dark like blue-lotus petals)

• śyāmīkṛtvā: having darkened
• śyāmīkṛtvā: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śyāmī-√kṛ (कृ) (धातु)
• Form: णिच्/नामधातु-प्रयोग + क्त्वा (absolutive): 'श्यामीकृत्वा' = having darkened

• diśaḥ: directions
• diśaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्द; here used as विशेषण of diśaḥ; द्वितीया, बहुवचन-सामानाधिकरण (ten)

• vimadāḥ: without rut/intoxication
• vimadāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-mada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय/नञ्-अर्थ: 'मदवर्जित' (without intoxication)

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमार्थक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• mātaṅgāḥ: elephants
• mātaṅgāḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• śānta-vegāḥ: with calmed speed
• śānta-vegāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (कृदन्त; √śam शम्) + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: 'शान्तो वेगो येषाम्' (whose speed has calmed)

• payodharāḥ: clouds
• payodharāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: payodhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: 'पयः धरन्ति' (water-bearers = clouds)

Context

'The clouds, which were dark till now like the blue lotus petals darkening all the ten directions are like elephants free from all intoxication as their fury is abated৷৷

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Clouds (payodharāḥ)
• Ten directions (daśa diśaḥ)
• Elephants (mātaṅga)

FAQs

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

Dharma values restraint: power should subside into control when its purpose is fulfilled—like clouds calming after rains, or elephants after musth.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama continues describing the end of the monsoon, reinforcing that the period of waiting is over and decisive action should begin.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-mastery—strength governed by timing and purpose rather than uncontrolled force.