Shloka 16

मैत्रीप्रतिज्ञा-वैरकारणप्रश्नः

Friendship Vow and Inquiry into the Cause of Enmity

Devanagari script

सुखोपविष्टं रामं तु प्रसन्नमुदधिं यथा।फलपुष्पसमाकीर्णे तस्मिन् गिरिवरोत्तमे4.8.15।।ततः प्रहृष्टस्सुग्रीवश्लक्ष्णं मधुरया गिरा।उवाच प्रणयाद्रामं हर्षव्याकुलिताक्षरम्4.8.16।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ sugrīvaḥ ślakṣṇaṃ madhurayā girā | uvāca praṇayād rāmaṃ harṣa-vyākulitākṣaram ||

Translation

ನಂತರ ಹರ್ಷಿತನಾದ ಸುಗ್ರೀವನು ಸೌಮ್ಯವಾದ ಮಧುರ ವಾಣಿಯಿಂದ ಪ್ರಣಯದಿಂದ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು; ಆನಂದದಿಂದ ವ್ಯಾಕುಲವಾಗಿ ಅಕ್ಷರಗಳು ತೊಡಕುತ್ತ ಬಂದವು.

Word by Word

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विनिकृतः: wronged
• विनिकृतः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-नि-कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अर्थ: 'wronged/deceived'

• भ्रात्रा: by (my) brother
• भ्रात्रा: Karaṇa (करण/Agent-instrument; doer in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• चरामि: I roam
• चरामि: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• एषः: this (I)
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition to अहम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (deictic)

• भयार्दितः: afflicted by fear
• भयार्दितः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय-आर्दित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: भयेन आर्दितः (afflicted by fear)

• ऋष्यमूकम्: Rishyamuka
• ऋष्यमूकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋष्यमूक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; पर्वतनाम (proper noun)

• गिरिवरम्: the excellent mountain
• गिरिवरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object in apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि-वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: गिरिणां वरः (excellent mountain)

• हृतभार्यः: whose wife has been taken
• हृतभार्यः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृत-भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: हृता भार्या यस्य (one whose wife is stolen)

• सुदुःखितः: very sorrowful
• सुदुःखितः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-दुःखित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: सु + दुःखित (very sorrowful)

Context

Now Rama, seated comfortably on the best of mountains overgrown with trees full of flowers and fruits, appeared tranguil like an ocean. Extremely delighted and excited, Sugriva spoke to Rama words that got mixed up with softness and sweetness out of love:

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Truthful appeal framed with humility: Sugrīva’s affectionate, respectful speech prepares for a sincere request, aligning speech (vāc) with right intention.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva begins addressing Rāma after seating arrangements are made, emotionally moved by the prospect of help and friendship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s openness and relational warmth, which helps establish a dharmic alliance.