Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 29, Shloka 8

शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp

Devanagari script

रिपूणांप्रतिकूलानांयुद्धार्थमभिवर्तताम् ।उभाभ्यांसदृशंनामवक्तुमप्रस्तवेस्तवम् ।।।।

Transliteration

ripūṇāṃ pratikūlānāṃ yuddhārtham abhivartatām | ubhābhyāṃ sadṛśaṃ nāma vaktum aprastave stavam ||

Translation

«Alors que nous nous avançons vers la guerre contre des ennemis hostiles, est-il convenable que vous deux leur adressiez des louanges en un moment si mal choisi ?»

Word by Word

• रिपूणाम्: of enemies
• रिपूणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रिपु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• प्रतिकूलानाम्: hostile, adverse
• प्रतिकूलानाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतिकूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); विशेषणम् (adjective) रिपूणाम्-सम्बद्धम्

• युद्धार्थम्: for the sake of war
• युद्धार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: युद्धस्य अर्थः); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• अभिवर्तताम्: let them advance/turn towards (for attack)
• अभिवर्तताम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

• उभाभ्याम्: by you two / by both of you
• उभाभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), द्विवचन (Dual); (सर्वनाम-प्रयोग/Pronominal)

• सदृशम्: befitting, suitable
• सदृशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); विशेषणम् स्तवम्-सम्बद्धम्

• नाम: indeed, really
• नाम: Avyaya (अव्यय/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय/निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle) — emphasis/indeed

• वक्तुम्: to speak
• वक्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Intended action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive/तुमन्त), अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः

• अप्रस्तवे: in an inappropriate occasion
• अप्रस्तवे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative context)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप्रस्तव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/सप्तमी), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine/Neuter-usage possible); विशेषणम् (in an improper context)

• स्तवम्: praise, eulogy
• स्तवम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

Context

"Is it appropriate for both of you to praise the enemy this way before war?"

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Śuka
• Sāraṇa
• ripu (enemy)

FAQs

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

It points to propriety (aucitya) in speech and timing; however, dharma also values truth even when inconvenient—so the verse illustrates how ego can reject truthful assessment as “inappropriate.”

What is the narrative situation?

On the eve of conflict, Śuka and Sāraṇa have conveyed observations that sound like admiration of the opposing side; Rāvaṇa interprets this as misplaced praise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and situational awareness in counsel (speaking truth effectively); Rāvaṇa’s response shows insecurity rather than strategic receptivity.