Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 74, Shloka 22

भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः

Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum

Devanagari script

एवमुक्ता तु सुरभि स्सुरराजेन धीमता।प्रत्युवाच ततो धीरा वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा।।।।

Transliteration

evam uktā tu surabhiḥ surarājena dhīmatā | pratyuvāca tato dhīrā vākyaṁ vākyaviśāradā ||

Translation

賢き神々の王にそのように告げられると、言葉に巧みで心堅きスラビーは、やがて答えて言った。

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘thus’)

• उक्ता: having been spoken to
• उक्ता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √वच्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि भावः (having been addressed/said to)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधान/विरोधार्थक-निपात (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• सुरभिः: Surabhi
• सुरभिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुरराजेन: by the king of the gods
• सुरराजेन: Karana (करण/Agent-instrument in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरराज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सुराणां राजा)

• धीमता: by the wise one
• धीमता: Karana (करण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying सुरराजेन)

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः प्रति-

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (adverb: ‘then/thereupon’)

• धीरा: calm/steadfast
• धीरा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying सुरभिः)

• वाक्यम्: speech/words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वाक्यविशारदा: skilled in speech
• वाक्यविशारदा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक्य-विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (वाक्येषु विशारदा); विशेषणम् (qualifying सुरभिः)

Context

On hearing the sagacious Indra, king of the gods, Kamadhenu, proficient in speech, calmly replied:

Characters & Entities

• Surabhi
• Indra

FAQs

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

Dharma in dialogue: even in grief, one should speak with steadiness and clarity, aiming at truthful communication.

What is the narrative situation?

After Indra’s inquiry, Surabhi prepares to explain the reason for her sorrow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Surabhi’s composure and disciplined speech—self-control as a moral strength.