Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 25

सप्तदशः सर्गः — देवसंवादः तथा वानर-ऋक्ष-उत्पत्तिः

Divine Council and the Generation of Vanara Allies

Devanagari script

विचालयेयुश्शैलेन्द्रान्भेदयेयुस्स्थिरान्द्रुमान्।क्षोभयेयुश्च वेगेन समुद्रं सरितां पतिम्।।।।

Transliteration

vicālayeyuḥ śailendrān bhedayeyuḥ sthirān drumān |

kṣobhayeyuś ca vegena samudraṁ saritāṁ patim ||

Translation

Mereka mampu menggoncang gunung-ganang yang agung, membelah pohon-pohon yang teguh; dan dengan kelajuan mereka, mereka dapat mengocak samudera—penguasa segala sungai.

Word by Word

• śilā-praharaṇāḥ: rock-weaponed
• śilā-praharaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śilā (प्रातिपदिक) + praharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'having rocks as weapons/rock-strikers' (used as predicate adjective)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pādapa-yodhinaḥ: fighters with trees
• pādapa-yodhinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pādapa (प्रातिपदिक) + yodhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'tree-fighters'

• nakha-daṃṣṭrāyudhāḥ: nail-and-tooth-weaponed
• nakha-daṃṣṭrāyudhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nakha (प्रातिपदिक) + daṃṣṭrā (प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); द्वन्द्व in the weapon-set: 'having nails and teeth as weapons'

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarvāstra-kovidāḥ: skilled in all weapons
• sarvāstra-kovidāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक) + kovida (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'skilled in all weapons'

Context

They were endowed with the powers to assume any form at will. They possessed enormous strength and power to freely wander in forests. They were like lions and tigers in pride and prowess.

Characters & Entities

• Śailendra (mountains)
• Samudra (ocean)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires sufficient force to confront entrenched wrong; the epic legitimizes great power when it serves justice and protection.

What is the narrative situation?

A hyperbolic description of the Vānaras’ might underscores that the coming rescue of Sītā will not lack capable agents.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bala (strength) allied with vegha (swift energy): decisive capacity to act, crucial for dharmic intervention.