Shloka 20

षट्पञ्चाशः सर्गः — वैदेही-आश्वासनम् तथा अरिष्टारोहणम्

Consoling Sita and Ascending Mount Arishta

Devanagari script

लतापादपसङ्घातं सिंहाध्युषितकन्दरम्।व्याघ्रसङ्घसमाकीर्णं स्वादुमूलफलद्रुमम्।।।।

Transliteration

latā-pādapa-saṅghātaṃ siṃhādhyuṣita-kandaram |

vyāghra-saṅgha-samākīrṇaṃ svādu-mūla-phala-drumam ||

Translation

അത് വള്ളികളും വൃക്ഷങ്ങളും കൂമ്പാരമായി കനത്തതായിരുന്നു; സിംഹങ്ങൾ വസിക്കുന്ന ഗുഹകളുണ്ടായിരുന്നു; കടുവക്കൂട്ടങ്ങൾ നിറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു; മധുരമുള്ള കിഴങ്ങുകളും ഫലങ്ങളും തരുന്ന വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ ധാരാളമായിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• latā-pādapa-saṅghātam: a mass of creepers and trees
• latā-pādapa-saṅghātam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: latā (प्रातिपदिक) + pādapa (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅghāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्; द्वन्द्व (latāś ca pādapāś ca) + तत्पुरुष: 'तेषां सङ्घातः'

• siṃha-adhyuṣita-kandaram: having caves inhabited by lions
• siṃha-adhyuṣita-kandaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक) + adhyuṣita (कृदन्त, क्त; adhi-√vas) + kandara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्; समासः: 'सिंहैः अध्युṣिताः कन्दराः यस्य' (contextually describing the mountain)

• vyāghra-saṅgha-samākīrṇam: filled with groups of tigers
• vyāghra-saṅgha-samākīrṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅgha (प्रातिपदिक) + samākīrṇa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्; 'व्याघ्रसङ्घैः समाकीर्णम्'

• svādu-mūla-phala-drumam: having trees with sweet roots and fruits
• svādu-mūla-phala-drumam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svādu (प्रातिपदिक) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + druma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्; समासः: 'स्वादूनि मूलफलानि येषां ते द्रुमाः' (trees with tasty roots/fruits)

Context

The clusters of creepers, and trees bearing tasty fruits and roots were uprooted. There were caves inhabited by lions. Herds of tigers were scattered all over (by the impetus of Hanuman's pressure on the mountain).

Characters & Entities

• siṃha (lion)
• latā (creeper)
• druma (trees)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the Dharmic need for discernment and courage: the world holds both nourishment (sweet fruits/roots) and danger (lions/tigers), and righteous action requires steadiness amid both.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues describing a formidable mountain ecosystem—lush, resource-rich, yet inhabited by powerful predators.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage with prudence (śaurya + viveka): facing peril without losing the capacity to choose what is right and necessary.