Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 9

प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्

Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host

Devanagari script

चपलाह्यविनीताश्चचलचित्ताश्चवानराः ।।।।नसहिष्यन्तितेनादंसिंहनादमिवद्विपाः ।

Transliteration

capalā hy avinītāś ca cala-cittāś ca vānarāḥ | na sahiṣyanti te nādaṁ siṁha-nādam iva dvipāḥ ||6.57.9||

Translation

કારણ કે વાનરો ચંચળ, અવનીત અને અસ્થિરચિત્ત છે; તેઓ તારો સિંહનાદ સમાન ગર્જન સહન નહીં કરી શકે—જેમ હાથી સિંહના નાદને સહન કરી શકતા નથી.

Word by Word

• चपलाः: fickle
• चपलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चपल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ: "indeed/for"

• अविनीताः: undisciplined
• अविनीताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अविनीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• चलचित्ताः: restless-minded
• चलचित्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चलचित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय: चलं चित्तं येषाम्/चलचित्तः

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• वानराः: Vanaras
• वानराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation)

• सहिष्यन्ति: will endure
• सहिष्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सह् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद

• ते: those
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural): निर्देश (demonstrative)

• नादम्: roar; sound
• नादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• सिंहनादम्: lion's roar
• सिंहनादम्: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंहनाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: सिंहस्य नादः

• इव: like
• इव: Upama (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय (comparative particle): "like"

• द्विपाः: elephants
• द्विपाः: Upameya/Karta (उपमेय/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

Context

Then Rama seeing Prahastha, the tamer of enemies of terrific valour coming towards him, said to Vibheeshana, having a gentle smile.

Characters & Entities

• Vānaras
• Siṁha (lion, as simile)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates how speech can be used to shape action; dharma-centered counsel should be truthful and measured, while disparaging underestimation can lead to unjust strategy and eventual harm.

What is the narrative situation?

A leader bolsters his commander’s confidence by characterizing the Vānaras as unable to stand firm under intimidation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, the importance of discernment (viveka): a virtuous strategist does not rely on stereotypes but assesses real strengths and weaknesses.