Shloka 15

पूर्वदिशि सीतामार्गण-नियोगः

Deployment to the Eastern Quarter for the Search of Sita

Devanagari script

सुहृद्वितीयो विक्रान्तः प्राज्ञः कालविशेषवित्।भवानस्मध्दिते युक्त स्सुकृतार्थोऽर्थवित्तमः।।4.40.15।।

Transliteration

suhṛd-dvitīyo vikrāntaḥ prājñaḥ kāla-viśeṣa-vit | bhavān asmaddhite yuktaḥ sukṛtārtho ’rtha-vittamaḥ || 4.40.15 ||

Translation

നീ എന്റെ രണ്ടാമത്തെ സുഹൃത്ത്—പരാക്രമശാലി, പ്രാജ്ഞൻ, സമയത്തിന്റെ സൂക്ഷ്മതകൾ അറിയുന്നവൻ. ഞങ്ങളുടെ ക്ഷേമത്തിൽ നിഷ്ഠയുള്ളവൻ, കാര്യസാധനത്തിൽ യോഗ്യൻ, ഉദ്ദേശം ഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവരിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠൻ നീ തന്നെയാണ്.

Word by Word

• suhṛdvitīyaḥ: having a friend as companion
• suhṛdvitīyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suhṛd-vitīya (प्रातिपदिक; सुहृद् + द्वितीय)
• Form: Adjective (विशेषण), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Bahuvrīhi: 'having a friend as second'

• vikrāntaḥ: valiant
• vikrāntaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikrānta (प्रातिपदिक; vi-√kram (क्रम्) + क्त)
• Form: Kṛdanta past participle (क्त) used adjectivally, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• prājñaḥ: wise
• prājñaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kālaviśeṣavit: knower of timely action
• kālaviśeṣavit: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāla-viśeṣa-vit (प्रातिपदिक; काल + विशेष + वित्)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: 'knower of distinctions of time'

• bhavān: you (sir)
• bhavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Honorific pronoun (भवत्), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• asmad-dhite: in our welfare
• asmad-dhite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad-hita (प्रातिपदिक; अस्मद् + हित)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: 'in our welfare/benefit'

• yuktaḥ: fit/competent
• yuktaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yukta (प्रातिपदिक; √yuj (युज्) + क्त)
• Form: Kṛdanta past participle (क्त) used adjectivally, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• sukṛtārthaḥ: well-accomplished in purpose
• sukṛtārthaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-kṛta-artha (प्रातिपदिक; सु + कृत + अर्थ)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Bahuvrīhi: 'one whose purpose is well-accomplished/ well-planned'

• arthavittamaḥ: best knower of what is to be done
• arthavittamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: artha-vit-tama (प्रातिपदिक; अर्थ + वित् + तम)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine, Nominative, Singular; superlative (-tama)

Context

'In response to Rama's desire, Sugriva beckoned a troop-leader called Vinata who was well-built and lofty like a mountain. And thundering like a cloud, said to him in the presence of Rama and wise Lakshmana:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• Lakṣmaṇa (implicitly, as “first friend” per traditional reading)

FAQs

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

Dharma of friendship is loyalty joined with wisdom: Rāma affirms Sugrīva’s virtue as a timely, welfare-oriented counselor, implying that righteous action depends on both courage and prudent judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma commends Sugrīva’s qualities as they prepare to organize the search for Sītā and plan further action against Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s practical wisdom—especially knowledge of timing (kāla) and purpose (artha)—a key leadership trait in dharmic governance.