Valmiki Ramayana 3.5.7 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 7

शरभङ्गाश्रमगमनम् तथा इन्द्रदर्शनम्

Approach to Sarabhanga’s Hermitage and the Vision of Indra

Devanagari script

हरिभिर्वाजिभिर्युक्तमन्तरिक्षगतं रथम्।।3.5.7।।ददर्शादूरतस्तस्य तरुणादित्यसन्निभम्।पाण्डुराभ्रघनप्रख्यं चन्द्रमण्डलसन्निभम्।।3.5.8।।

Transliteration

haribhir vājibhir yuktaṃ antarikṣagataṃ ratham || 3.5.7 ||

Translation

彼は、中空を進む戦車を見た。黄褐色の馬に轡をかけて引かれていた。

Word by Word

• हरिभिः: by tawny horses
• हरिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वाजिभिः: by horses
• वाजिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• युक्तम्: yoked / harnessed
• युक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), क्त-प्रत्यय (kta), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (of रथम्)

• अन्तरिक्षगतम्: gone into the sky / in mid-air
• अन्तरिक्षगतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तरिक्ष + गत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpuruṣa: अन्तरिक्षे गतः), भूतकृदन्त (kta), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (of रथम्)

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

Not far from that place, Rama saw a chariot, yoked with tawny-coloured horses, shining like the morning Sun. It looked like a pale-white cloud, resembling the lunar orb.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Chariot (ratha)

FAQs

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

The verse supports the idea of ṛta/dharma as cosmic order: celestial movements accompany moments of spiritual significance.

What is the narrative situation?

Near the Śarabhanga episode, Rāma observes a divine chariot in the sky, signaling the presence of the gods.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s composed observation and readiness to respond appropriately to sacred occurrences.