Shloka 40

मैत्रीप्रतिज्ञा-वैरकारणप्रश्नः

Friendship Vow and Inquiry into the Cause of Enmity

Devanagari script

एष मे राम शोकान्तश्शोकार्तेन निवेदितः।दुःखितस्सुखितो वापि सख्युर्नित्यं सखा गतिः।।

Transliteration

eṣa me rāma śokāntaḥ śokārtena niveditaḥ |

duḥkhitaḥ sukhito vāpi sakhyur nityaṁ sakhā gatiḥ ||

Translation

ラーマよ、悲嘆に打たれたこの身が、わが憂いの終わりを汝に申し述べた。苦しみの時も喜びの時も、友にとって友は常に帰依の拠り所である。

Word by Word

एषःthis

मेmy

रामO Rama

शोकान्तःend of sorrow

शोकार्तेनby one afflicted with grief

निवेदितःhas been submitted/told

दुःखितःwhen unhappy

सुखितःwhen happy

वाor

अपिeven/also

सख्युःof a friend

नित्यम्always

सखाa friend

गतिःrefuge/way

Context

After hearing Sugriva, Rama said 'I wish to know the actual cause of this enmity.

Characters & Entities

Sugrīva

Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma highlights steadfast friendship: loyalty is not conditional on circumstances; a true friend remains a refuge in both joy and sorrow.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva concludes his appeal, stating that his deliverance depends on Rāma, and affirming the protective duty inherent in friendship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Constancy in friendship—dependability as a moral obligation rather than a convenience.