Shloka 4

पम्पा-ऋष्यमूक-मार्गोपदेशः

Guidance to Pampa and Rishyamuka; counsel to befriend Sugriva

Devanagari script

एष राम शिवः पन्था यत्रैते पुष्पिता द्रुमाः।प्रतीचीं दिशमाश्रित्य प्रकाशन्ते मनोरमाः।।3.73.2।।जम्बूप्रियालपनसप्लक्षन्यग्रोधतिन्धुकाः।अश्वत्थाः कर्णिकाराश्च चूताश्चान्ये च पादापाः।।3.73.3।।धन्वना नागवृक्षाश्च तिलका नक्तमालकाः।नीलाशोकाः कदम्बाश्च करवीराश्च पुष्पिताः।।3.73.4।।अग्निमुख्या अशोकाश्च सुरक्ताः पारिभद्रकाः।

Transliteration

eṣa rāma śivaḥ panthā yatraite puṣpitā drumāḥ |

pratīcīṃ diśam āśritya prakāśante manoramāḥ ||3.73.2||

jambūpriyālapana-saplakṣa-nyagrodha-tindhukāḥ |

aśvatthāḥ karṇikārāś ca cūtāś cānye ca pādapāḥ ||3.73.3||

dhanvanā nāgavṛkṣāś ca tilakā naktamālakāḥ |

nīlāśokāḥ kadambāś ca karavīrāś ca puṣpitāḥ ||3.73.4||

agnimukhyā aśokāś ca suraktāḥ pāribhadrakāḥ |

Translation

ഹേ രാമാ, ഇതു ശിവമയമായ ശുഭപഥം; പടിഞ്ഞാറോട്ടു നീങ്ങുമ്പോൾ ഇവിടെ പുഷ്പിതങ്ങളായ മനോഹരവൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ ദീപ്തിയായി പ്രകാശിക്കുന്നു—ജാംബൂ, പ്രിയാല, പനസ, പ്ലക്ഷ, ന്യഗ്രോധ, തിന്ദൂക; അശ്വത്ഥ, കർണികാര, ചൂത (മാവ്) മുതലായ അനേകം പാദപങ്ങൾ; ധന്വനവൃക്ഷങ്ങളും നാഗവൃക്ഷവും, തിലകവും നക്തമാലയും; നീലാശോകം, കടമ്പം, പുഷ്പിത കരവീരവും; കൂടാതെ അഗ്നിമുഖ്യ അശോകങ്ങൾ, ഗാഢചുവപ്പുള്ള വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ, പാരിജാതസദൃശമായ പാരിഭദ്രകങ്ങളും.

Word by Word

तान्those (trees)

आरुह्यhaving climbed

अथवाor else

भूमौon the ground

पातयित्वाhaving pulled down/made fall

चand

तान्them

बलात्by force/with strength

फलानिfruits

अमृतकल्पानिnectar-like

भक्षयन्तौ(you two) eating

गमिष्यथःyou two will go

Context

O Rama the delightful path going westward is auspicious for you. It is shining with trees in bloom. There are jambu (rose apple) trees, priyala trees, jackfruit trees, banyan trees, plaksha trees (a tree from which milky latex oozes out), tinduka trees, holy fig trees, karnikaras (of red and white flowers), mango trees and other trees like dryland, thorny trees, tilaka trees, trees that bloom at night, agnimukhya and asoka trees of blue flowers, kadamba trees, karavira trees, red ashoka trees, and paribhadraka trees.

Characters & Entities

Rama

western direction (pratīcī diś)

jambū

panaśa (jackfruit)

plakṣa

nyagrodha (banyan)

karṇikāra

cūta (mango)

tilaka

kadamba

karavīra

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as moving forward on a ‘śiva panthā’—a right and auspicious course—without losing heart. The ordered beauty of the path signals moral orientation: the righteous journey is supported by auspicious signs.

What is the narrative situation?

Kabandha gives practical route-guidance, describing the westward path and its distinctive flora so Rama can recognize the way.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and disciplined purpose: Rama is to proceed carefully, reading signs of the terrain while remaining committed to his vow-bound search.