Shloka 5

द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault

Devanagari script

ततस्तं गिरिसङ्काशमतिकायं महाबलम्।राक्षस्यो वानरं दृष्ट्वा पप्रच्छुर्जनकात्मजाम्।।5.42.5।।

Transliteration

tatas taṃ girisaṅkāśam atikāyaṃ mahābalam | rākṣasyo vānaraṃ dṛṣṭvā papracchur janakātmajām || 5.42.5 ||

Translation

പിന്നീട് പർവ്വതസദൃശനായി, അതിവിശാലകായനും മഹാബലവാനുമായ ആ വാനരനെ കണ്ട രാക്ഷസിമാർ ജനകാത്മജയായ സീതാദേവിയോട് അവനെക്കുറിച്ച് ചോദിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Desha-Kala (देश-काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• tam: that (one)/him
• tam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• girisaṅkāśam: mountain-like
• girisaṅkāśam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: giri + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (गिरिसदृशः/गिरिवत् सङ्काशः)

• atikāyam: huge-bodied
• atikāyam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati + kāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (अतिकायः = अतिशयेन कायः)

• mahābalam: mighty
• mahābalam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; बहुव्रीहिः (महद् बलं यस्य)

• rākṣasyaḥ: ogresses
• rākṣasyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• vānaram: the monkey
• vānaram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; apposition to tam

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriya (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश्, दर्शन)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा)

• papracchuḥ: asked
• papracchuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √prach (प्रच्छ्, प्रश्न)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural

• janakātmajām: Janaka’s daughter (Sītā)
• janakātmajām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka + ātmajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जनकस्य आत्मजा)

Context

Hanuman, the mighty hero, seized the iron beam and struck the kinkaras, just as Garuda, the son of Vinata shoots up a struggling serpent and starts taking strides in the sky with the weapon in his hand (like Indra with his thunderbolt did with demons).

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sītā
• Janaka
• rākṣasī-s (ogresses)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how power and fear shape conduct; dharma demands discernment—questions should seek truth, not become tools of intimidation against the innocent.

What is the narrative situation?

The ogresses notice Hanumān’s colossal form and turn to Sītā for an explanation of who he is.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness is implied: even under surveillance, she remains composed as others interrogate her.