Shloka 5

सागरप्रशमनम् / The Pacification of the Ocean and the Building of Nala’s Bridge

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मेणास्त्रेणसंयोज्यब्रह्मदण्डनिभम् शरम् ।संयोज्यधनुषिश्रेष्ठविचकर्षमहाबलः ।।।।

Transliteration

brāhmeṇāstreṇa saṃyojya brahmadaṇḍa-nibhaṃ śaram | saṃyojya dhanuṣi śreṣṭhe vicakarṣa mahābalaḥ ||

Translation

Sang Mahābali (Rāma) lalu menyatukan panah itu dengan Brahmāstra, laksana tongkat hukuman Brahmā; dipasangkannya pada busur terbaik dan ditariknya kuat-kuat.

Word by Word

• brāhmeṇa: Brahmā-related, Brahma-
• brāhmeṇa: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brāhma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; qualifying astreṇa

• astreṇa: with a weapon (missile)
• astreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• saṃyojya: having joined/strung
• saṃyojya: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam + yuj (धातु) + lyap (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Absolutive (ल्यप्), indeclinable; 'having fixed/attached/strung'

• brahma-daṇḍa-nibham: like Brahmā's staff (rod of punishment)
• brahma-daṇḍa-nibham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + nibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'brahmaṇaḥ daṇḍaḥ' + 'tasya nibhaḥ' qualifying śaram

• śaram: arrow
• śaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• saṃyojya: having fixed/strung
• saṃyojya: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam + yuj (धातु) + lyap (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Absolutive (ल्यप्), indeclinable; second action: 'having fitted (it) on'

• dhanuṣi: on the bow
• dhanuṣi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• śreṣṭhe: excellent
• śreṣṭhe: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; qualifying dhanuṣi

• vicakarṣa: drew (the bowstring)
• vicakarṣa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + kṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

• mahābalaḥ: the mighty one
• mahābalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुव्रीहि: 'mahān balaṃ yasya'

Context

Then directed by Rama the Vanara troop leaders in hundreds and thousands sprang up gladly all over the huge forest.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Arrow (śara)
• Bow (dhanuḥ)
• Brahmā (implied by brahmadaṇḍa)

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes that force may be necessary, but it must be sanctified and proportionate—invoked as righteous restraint against adharma, not as personal rage.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma prepares a divinely empowered missile, indicating escalation to decisive action in the confrontation with obstructing forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Controlled power—Rāma’s strength is disciplined, purposeful, and aligned with moral order.