Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 18

कुशवंशवर्णनम्

The Line of Kuśa and the Disfigurement of Kuśanābha’s Daughters by Vāyu

Devanagari script

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वायोरक्लिष्टकर्मण:।अपहास्य ततो वाक्यं कन्याशतमथाब्रवीत् ।।।।

Transliteration

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā vāyor akliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ |

apahāsya tato vākyaṃ kanyāśatam athābravīt || 1.32.18 ||

Translation

倦むことなき働きをもつ風神ヴァーユの言葉を聞くや、百人の乙女たちはその言を嘲り、ついで答えた。

Word by Word

• तप्यन्तम्: performing austerities
• तप्यन्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तम्: that
• तम्: कर्म (appositional)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ऋषिम्: sage
• ऋषिम्: कर्म (object of service)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (there)

• गन्धर्वी: a Gandharva maiden
• गन्धर्वी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पर्युपासते: attends upon/serves
• पर्युपासते: क्रिया (main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: परि- + उप- (attend upon)

• सोमदा: Somadā
• सोमदा: कर्ता (apposition to gandharvī)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper noun)

• नाम: named
• नाम: नामनिर्देश (naming particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: नाम-निपात (indeclinable used with proper names: 'named')

• भद्रम्: good fortune
• भद्रम्: आशीः (benediction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; आशीर्वादार्थक प्रयोग (benedictive noun)

• ते: to you/your
• ते: सम्प्रदान (recipient of blessing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी/षष्ठी (Dat/Gen), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ऊर्मिला: Ūrmilā
• ऊर्मिला: कर्ता/सम्बोधन-सम्बन्ध (contextual; person addressed/mentioned)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊर्मिला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• तनया: daughter
• तनया: कर्ता (apposition to ūrmilā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तनया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: काल-सम्बन्ध (temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (then)

Context

"O best among devatas! you move within all living beings, we feel your impact. Why do you insult us?

Characters & Entities

• Vāyu

FAQs

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

The beginning of resistance to unrighteous pressure: dharma includes protecting one’s integrity and refusing coercive or improper proposals, even when made by a powerful being.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vāyu’s proposal and promises, the maidens respond collectively, first dismissing his attempt.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and solidarity—answering as a group—along with firmness in guarding chastity and rightful conduct.