Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.11: Bala Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 11

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis

Narada’s Summary to Valmiki

Devanagari script

समस्समविभक्ताङ्गस्स्निग्धवर्णः प्रतापवान् ।

पीनवक्षा विशालाक्षो लक्ष्मीवान् शुभलक्षणः ॥११॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.1.11

Transliteration

samaḥ samavibhaktāṅgaḥ snigdhavarṇaḥ pratāpavān |

pīnavakṣā viśālākṣaḥ lakṣmīvān śubhalakṣaṇaḥ ||11||

Translation

वो न बहुत लंबा था न बहुत छोटा। उसका बॉडी एकदम सही था, रंग चमकदार था। सीना चौड़ा था, आँखें बड़ी थी, चेहरे पर अच्छे निशान थे।

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Word by Word

• समः: even; well-proportioned
• समः: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (adjectival use)

• समविभक्त-अङ्गः: having well-proportioned limbs
• समविभक्त-अङ्गः: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम + विभक्त + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक); अङ्ग (head)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्रायः: ‘समं विभक्तानि अङ्गानि यस्य’ (well-distributed limbs) — adjectival compound

• स्निग्ध-वर्णः: of glossy/pleasing complexion
• स्निग्ध-वर्णः: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक); वर्ण (head)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘स्निग्धः वर्णः यस्य’

• प्रतापवान्: mighty; powerful
• प्रतापवान्: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतापवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive adjective)

• पीन-वक्षाः: broad/full-chested
• पीन-वक्षाः: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीन + वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक); वक्षस् (head)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वक्षस्-शब्दः (neuter stem) से ‘वक्षाः’ (nom. sg. masc. by usage in bahuvrīhi/karmadhāraya-like epithet); कर्मधारय: ‘पीनं वक्षः यस्य’

• विशाल-अक्षः: large-eyed
• विशाल-अक्षः: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशाल + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक); अक्ष (head)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘विशाले अक्षिणी यस्य’

• लक्ष्मीवान्: fortunate; endowed with splendor
• लक्ष्मीवान्: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लक्ष्मीवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त

• शुभ-लक्षणः: of auspicious marks/traits
• शुभ-लक्षणः: Karta (कर्ता) — implied subject-qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक); लक्षण (head)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘शुभानि लक्षणानि यस्य’

Context

Mighty and powerful, he has a well-proportioned body, neither tall nor short, shining complexion, well-developed chest, large eyes, lustrous body and good qualities.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Nārada
• Vālmīki

FAQs

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

The text links inner excellence with outer harmony: auspicious ‘marks’ symbolize a life oriented to balance, self-control, and beneficent power.

What is the narrative situation?

Nārada continues his portrayal of Rāma as the exemplary person, describing his balanced form and auspicious presence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Saumyatā (graceful composure) combined with pratāpa (effective power): strength that appears as steadiness rather than aggression.