Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 56, Shloka 13

षट्पञ्चाशः सर्गः — वैदेही-आश्वासनम् तथा अरिष्टारोहणम्

Consoling Sita and Ascending Mount Arishta

Devanagari script

देवदारुभिरत्युच्चैरूर्ध्वबाहुमिव स्थितम्।प्रपातजलनिर्घोषैः प्राक्रुष्टमिव सर्वतः।।।।

Transliteration

devadārubhir atyuccair ūrdhva-bāhum iva sthitam |

prapāta-jala-nirghoṣaiḥ prākruṣṭam iva sarvataḥ ||

Translation

Avec ses deodāra très élevés, la montagne semblait se tenir debout, les bras levés; et par le fracas des eaux en chute, elle semblait crier de toutes parts.

Word by Word

• devadārubhiḥ: with deodar trees
• devadārubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrumental description)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devadāru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• atyuccaiḥ: very high
• atyuccaiḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atyuccaiḥ (अव्यय; ati + uccaiḥ)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of degree ‘very high’

• ūrdhvabāhum: (one with) raised arms
• ūrdhvabāhum: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūrdhva-bāhu (प्रातिपदिक; ūrdhva + bāhu)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; used as upamāna ‘one with raised arms’

• iva: as if
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, simile particle

• sthitam: standing
• sthitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √sthā (धातु) क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with parvatam (understood)

• prapāta: waterfall
• prapāta: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prapāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, (in compound) stem-form

• jala: water
• jala: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, (in compound) stem-form

• nirghoṣaiḥ: with roaring sounds
• nirghoṣaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; in compound prapāta-jala-nirghoṣaiḥ

• prākruṣṭam: as if loudly cried out
• prākruṣṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण; upamā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prākruṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; pra-ā-√kruś (धातु) क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; ‘cried out/loudly resounding’ (upamā)

• iva: as if
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, simile particle

• sarvataḥ: everywhere, on all sides
• sarvataḥ: Deśa-viśeṣaṇa (देश-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb of place ‘from all sides/everywhere’

Context

With the tall devadaru trees on the mountain, it appeared as if the sages were standing with shoulders lifted up and performing penance. The sounds of waterfalls filled all over with reverberations.

Characters & Entities

• parvata (mountain)

FAQs

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

The imagery evokes ascetic posture (arms raised) and a ‘call’ resounding everywhere, suggesting vigilance and steadfastness—Dharmic qualities that parallel the epic’s insistence on unwavering commitment to righteous duty.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration paints the terrain’s grandeur and sound as part of the broader Sundarakāṇḍa movement around Hanumān’s mission and return.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhṛti): the mountain’s ‘raised-arm’ stance symbolically mirrors the endurance expected of those who follow Dharma.