Shloka 9

किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः

Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha

Devanagari script

शोभसेऽह्यधिकं वीर लतया कण्ठसक्तया।विपरीत इवाकाशे सूर्यो नक्षत्रमालया4.14.9।।

Transliteration

śobhase hy adhikaṃ vīra latayā kaṇṭha-saktayā |

viparīta ivākāśe sūryo nakṣatra-mālayā || 4.14.9 ||

Translation

Wahai pahlawan, engkau tampak semakin bersinar dengan sulur yang melingkar di lehermu; laksana Surya di angkasa berhias untaian bintang-bintang.

Word by Word

• śobhase: you shine
• śobhase: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śubh (शुभ् धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd person, Singular, Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद): "you shine/appear beautiful"

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात) giving emphasis/cause: "indeed/for"

• adhikam: more
• adhikam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adhika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Used adverbially (क्रियाविशेषणवत्), Accusative neuter singular form: "more/exceedingly"

• vīra: O hero
• vīra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• latayā: by the creeper
• latayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: latā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• kaṇṭha-saktayā: fastened to (your) neck
• kaṇṭha-saktayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṇṭha (प्रातिपदिक) + sakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: "attached to the neck" qualifying latayā

• viparītaḥ: as if opposite
• viparītaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Upamāna
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viparīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; used in simile with sūryaḥ: "as if reversed/contrasting"

• iva: like/as if
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, comparison

• ākāśe: in the sky
• ākāśe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ākāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• sūryaḥ: the sun
• sūryaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; upamāna (object of comparison)

• nakṣatra-mālayā: by a garland of stars
• nakṣatra-mālayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nakṣatra (प्रातिपदिक) + mālā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: "garland/cluster of stars"; instrument in simile

Context

'O hero, you are shining with the creeper fastened to your neck , just as the full-moon adorned with a cluster of stars shines in the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• sun (sūrya)
• stars (nakṣatra)

FAQs

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

Dharma is supported by morale and clarity: righteous action is strengthened when leaders encourage allies and remove confusion before conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma reassures Sugrīva, noting that the identification creeper both distinguishes him and adds to his presence before the coming duel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Supportive leadership—Rāma bolsters Sugrīva’s confidence while preparing for a just outcome.