Shloka 12

द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark

Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12

Devanagari script

ततो रामः परिष्वज्य सुग्रीवं प्रियदर्शनम्।प्रत्युवाच महाप्राज्ञो लक्ष्मणानुगतं वचः4.12.12।।

Transliteration

tato rāmaḥ pariṣvajya sugrīvaṃ priyadarśanam | pratyuvāca mahāprājño lakṣmaṇānugataṃ vacaḥ ||

Translation

そのとき大いなる智慧を備えたラーマは、見るも麗しいスグリーヴァを抱きしめ、ラクシュマナの助言にかなう言葉で答えた。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of time/sequence

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā vibhakti (प्रथमा) ekavacana (singular)

• pariṣvajya: having embraced
• pariṣvajya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√svaj (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), pūrvakāla-kriyā (prior action), upasarga: pari-

• sugrīvam: Sugriva
• sugrīvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (द्वितीया) ekavacana

• priyadarśanam: handsome/pleasant-looking
• priyadarśanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya samāsa (कर्मधारय): priya-darśana = 'pleasant-to-see'; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of sugrīvam

• pratyuvāca: replied/said in return
• pratyuvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√vac (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ lakāra (लङ्, imperfect/past), prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), ekavacana; upasarga: prati-

• mahāprājñaḥ: very wise
• mahāprājñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: mahā-prājña = 'very wise'; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of rāmaḥ

• lakṣmaṇānugatam: following (i.e., in accordance with) Lakshmana
• lakṣmaṇānugatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lakṣmaṇa + anugata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): lakṣmaṇasya anugata = 'following Lakshmana'; Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of vacaḥ

• vacaḥ: words/speech
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā vibhakti ekavacana (form = vacaḥ); object of pratyuvāca

Context

Then wise Rama embraced handsome Sugriva and replied in these words which were agreeable to Lakshmana:

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sugriva
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassion joined with prudent counsel: Rama shows warmth (embrace) while acting with discernment and alignment with wise advice.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama physically reassures Sugriva and prepares to respond, indicating coordinated action with Lakshmana.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s empathy and wisdom—balancing kindness with strategic clarity.