Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 22

अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः

Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove

Devanagari script

दीपिकाभिरनेकाभिः समन्तादवभासितम्।गन्धतैलावसिक्ताभिर्ध्रियमाणाभिरग्रतः।।5.18.22।।

Transliteration

dīpikābhir anekābhiḥ samantād avabhāsitam |

gandhatailāvasiktābhir dhriyamāṇābhir agrataḥ || 5.18.22 ||

Translation

Il était éclairé de toutes parts par de nombreuses petites lampes, tenues devant lui par des servantes rākṣasī, des lampes ointes d’huile parfumée.

Word by Word

• दीपिकाभिः: with lamps
• दीपिकाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dīpikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• अनेकाभिः: by many
• अनेकाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aneka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective (विशेषण) agreeing with दीपिकाभिः; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• समन्तात्: on all sides
• समन्तात्: Desha/Adhikarana (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/अव्यय (directional/locative sense)

• अवभासितम्: illuminated
• अवभासितम्: Kriya (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ava-√bhās (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); used predicatively

• गन्धतैलावसिक्ताभिः: smeared with fragrant oil
• गन्धतैलावसिक्ताभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gandha-taila-ava-sikta (प्रातिपदिक; गन्ध + तैल + अवसिक्त)
• Form: Adjective (विशेषण) agreeing with (दीपिकाभिः); Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); Samāsa: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष)

• ध्रियमाणाभिः: being held
• ध्रियमाणाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dhṛ (धातु) + śāna (शानच्)
• Form: Present passive participle (कर्मणि वर्तमान कृदन्त; शानच्), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); agreeing with दीपिकाभिः

• अग्रतः: in front
• अग्रतः: Desha/Adhikarana (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: agrataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/अव्यय (place)

Context

Hanuman saw him, who was possessed of lust, arrogance and intoxication. He appeared like Cupid setting aside his quiver and arrows with his curved, big, red eyes.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasīs (female demons/attendants)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how power surrounds itself with display; Dharma reminds one to judge by truth and conduct rather than by dazzling appearances.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān sees Rāvaṇa approaching, ceremonially illuminated by attendants carrying perfumed-oil lamps.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s vigilance and discernment: he observes carefully without being misled by spectacle.