Shloka 86

दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः

The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess

Devanagari script

क्षिप्तं दृष्ट्वा ततः कायं सुग्रीवः पुनरब्रवीत्।लक्ष्मणस्याग्रतो राममिदं वचनमर्थवत्4.11.86।।

Transliteration

kṣiptaṁ dṛṣṭvā tataḥ kāyaṁ sugrīvaḥ punar abravīt |

lakṣmaṇasyāgrato rāmam idaṁ vacanam arthavat ||

Translation

അങ്ങനെ എറിഞ്ഞുകളഞ്ഞ ശരീരം കണ്ടിട്ട്, സുഗ്രീവൻ വീണ്ടും ലക്ഷ്മണന്റെ സന്നിധിയിൽ ശ്രീരാമനോട് ഉദ്ദേശസമ്പന്നമായ അർത്ഥവത്തായ വാക്കുകൾ പറഞ്ഞു.

Word by Word

• क्षिप्तम्: thrown, cast
• क्षिप्तम्: कर्म (object) — ‘कायम्’ इति विशेषणम्
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षिप्त (√क्षिप् धातु, क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त-विशेषणम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (accusative singular neuter)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययम् (gerund/absolutive) — ‘having seen’

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: कालाधिकरण/देशाधिकरण (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात्)
• Form: अव्ययम्; क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb) — ‘then/from there’

• कायम्: body
• कायम्: कर्म (object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (accusative singular masculine)

• सुग्रीवः: Sugriva
• सुग्रीवः: कर्ता (agent/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (nominative singular masculine)

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः
• Form: अव्ययम्; क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb) — ‘again’

• अब्रवीत्: said, spoke
• अब्रवीत्: क्रिया (main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (imperfect/past); प्रथम-पुरुषः; एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• लक्ष्मणस्य: of Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मणस्य: सम्बन्ध (genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (genitive singular masculine)

• अग्रतः: in the presence of, before
• अग्रतः: देशाधिकरण (adverbial locus)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः
• Form: अव्ययम्; देशवाचक-क्रियाविशेषणम् (locative adverb) — ‘in front/presence of’

• रामम्: Rama (to Rama)
• रामम्: सम्प्रदान/प्रति (addressee/goal of speech)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (accusative singular masculine)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (object) — ‘वचनम्’ इति विशेषणम्
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम-विशेषणम्; नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (nom./acc. singular neuter); अत्र ‘वचनम्’ इति विशेषणम्

• वचनम्: speech, words
• वचनम्: कर्म (object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (accusative singular neuter)

• अर्थवत्: meaningful, significant
• अर्थवत्: कर्म (object) — ‘वचनम्’ इति विशेषणम्
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्थवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषणम्; नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्तिः एकवचनम् (accusative singular neuter) — ‘वचनम्’ इति विशेषणम्

Context

Having seen Rama flinging the body, Sugriva said to him again in the presence of Lakshmana-meaningfully:

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Dharma as responsible speech: Sugrīva responds thoughtfully, ensuring that decisions about violence and alliance are grounded in discernment rather than impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

After witnessing Rama’s feat, Sugrīva prepares to explain why this alone does not conclusively compare Rama’s strength with Vali’s.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s practical intelligence (nīti): he values meaningful counsel and careful assessment in a high-stakes conflict.